Sustainable, local and healthy food was the focus of the Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) of the European Committee of the Regions. Representatives of local authorities stressed the need to establish a link across different policy areas, including food production, agriculture, environment, health and consumer policy, employment and rural development among others – thus ensuring consistency between all relevant EU legislation and financial incentives.
The committee found that a common, long-term vision is needed to address three main problems: ensuring the production of affordable food to meet growing demand; ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources without damaging the environment and endangering the biodiversity, and finally, contributing to the balanced territorial development of the EU’s rural areas and their communities.
"With the rising global population, the question of how we can sustainably supply everyone with sufficient quantities of healthy food is becoming ever more pressing. According to data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), as a result of population growth and changes in diet and incomes, food demand is likely to rise by 70% by 2050"
“Europe needs a sustainable food policy based on the added value represented by the various food cultures existing and, at the same time, uniform market rules that strengthen the regional cycles of production and consumption” stressed Arno Kompatscher (IT/EPP), President of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and Regional Councillor.
"Sustainable food production is a response to the growing public awareness of the current impact of food production on the environment, as well as trends for healthier and ethically produced food. Sustainable food is organic, local and fresh."
The representatives of the local authorities emphasised the need to stimulate and support the development of small-scale farming systems and promote the diversification of cultivated species and organic farming, and supported the development of alternative food networks, including farmers’ markets.
The NAT opinion places emphasis on information campaigns promoting healthy nutrition: adopting more plant-based diets with a high intake of fruit and vegetables, reducing meat, fat and sugar consumption, and encouraging the purchase of local/regional, fresh and seasonal foods produced using sustainable production methods.
For more information:
Wioletta Wojewódzka
Tel: +32 2 282 2289
