Global implications of the European Food System : A food systems approach (original) (raw)

A Healthier and More Sustainable Global Food System: What is at Stake for the EU?

Rome, IAI, January 2022, 5 p. (IAI Commentaries ; 22|03), 2022

The Farm to Fork Strategy is a step towards an integrated food system strategy and governance in the EU as, for the first time, food sustainability is addressed across the entire food chain, from the use of pesticides and fertilisers to the uptake of organic farming and the reduction of food waste. The Strategy’s targets require an EU-wide policy framework for implementation, binding instruments for all member states as well as policy coherence, which fundamentally includes the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy. The extent to which member states will unlock the full potential of the CAP’s strategic plans to support the transition towards climate and nature-friendly agriculture will determine the opportunity to implement the targets of the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy.

EU trade policy for sustainable food systems

ECDPM - iPES FOOD Briefing Note, 2020

The European Union (EU) has committed to supporting the global transition to more sustainable food systems. As the world's largest food importer, the EU can use its trade policies and agreements to stimulate and incentivise more sustainable practices by its trade partners. In this brief, we provide specific recommendations on how the EU can do so. Building on lessons from existing initiatives, the EU should adopt sector-specific regulations and sustainability standards to promote imports of sustainable food, and restrict the import of illegally or unsustainably manufactured products. Further, real change can only be achieved if the EU makes sustainable food systems an explicit objective of its free trade agreements, negotiates relevant sustainability provisions in these agreements and monitors efficiently the impact of these provisions on food systems. At the multilateral level, the World Trade Organization and the upcoming 2021 Food Systems Summit can be good platforms for the EU to build alliances with like-minded countries to push for global trade rules that promote sustainable food systems. To be effective, these efforts need to be based on a good understanding of the various ways trade affects food systems. They also need to be based on inclusive consultation involving potentially marginalised food systems actors and civil society representatives, and to be complemented by other relevant policies, including on investment and development cooperation. https://ecdpm.org/publications/eu-trade-policy-for-sustainable-food-systems/

The current situation of EU’s food chain

The sharp fluctuations in agricultural commodity and food prices at a time of great uncertainty about the economic outlook illustrate the need to improve the functioning of the European food supply chain with a view to enhancing its efficiency and competitiveness. Better regulation and ensuring a vigorous and coherent enforcement of competition and consumer protection rules will contribute to limiting price increases for the benefit of European consumers, in particular lower income households. Moreover, it will also help overcome the present fragmentation of the food supply chain and remove artificial entry barriers for producers, which will help European consumers benefit from the widest possible choice of quality food products. Additionally, this could help rebalancing the bargaining power in the food supply chain. Global demand and supply developments have been one of the main determinants of the rapid increase in food prices observed. Nevertheless, problems in the functioning of...

The European food system and natural resources: Impacts and Options

2015

Food systems crucially depend on natural resources, such as land, water, biodiversity, minerals and fossil fuels, not only for farming and fishing, but as well for other food system activities, such as food processing and food retailing. Food system activities (farming in particular) are also a key driver of a number of environmental impacts, such as the loss of biodiversity, soil degradation and greenhouse gas emissions. To achieve a sustainable food system, the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources is a prerequisite. In the EU this is currently however often not the case, leading degradation of natural resources, and high environmental impacts. In biophysical terms, there are many options to reduce the impact of food systems on natural resources, both at the production side, as well as on consumption side of food systems. The key question is how the various food system actors, notably powerful actors such as retailers and food companies, can enable both consumers as well as farmers and fishermen to make more sustainable and efficient use of natural resources.

European food and agricultural strategy for 21st century

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2011

Production ecological analyses reveal great differences in food production potential and food requirement between global regions, which implies the need for redistribution of food between surplus and deficit regions. The surplus production potential, current production and trade volumes of Europe along with the desires of its society for non-food functions from its land, favours a dual agricultural path for Europe. It can continue to guarantee its own food provision through a food-oriented path of intensive agriculture, while cherishing a socially-oriented pathway to meet non-food desires. Europe can assume an active role in world food security by using its surplus potential to supplement the deficit region Asia and by using its agricultural insight to facilitate processes towards sustainable agriculture in Latin America and to support overall agricultural development in Africa. The prospects for the coming decades for European agriculture are so favourable that there is little need to introduce agro-energy or heavy subsidy measures to stimulate or revitalise agricultural development within its territory. Wageningen UR, The Netherlands. He has worked at CGIAR institutes and engaged in research projects for the WB, FAO, IWMI, UN and others. He has calculated world food production potentials, land quality indicators and water requirement for food and ecosystems, and is engaged in implementation projects like water-saving rice and enhancing the sustainability of soybean cultivation. He is involved in agricultural development strategies and participates in food, feed, fuel debates.

REPORT ON THE IMPACT OF EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL FROM A SUSTAINABLE GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEM APPROACH

Fundación 'Triptolemos', 2021

The Board of Trustees of the Foundation "Triptolemos", meeting on February 9, 2021, approved the drafting of a report on the impact of the European Green Deal from the approach of a global food system in a context of climate change. Experts in their various areas and researchers from the 26 universities and the Spanish Research Council from among the members that make up the board were invited to participate. This report is aligned with the vision of the food system of the Triptolemos Foundation, with the intention of contributing as a member of civil society, to the development of an integral food policy in the EU following the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee. Each of the 6 chapters contains a short introduction at the beginning. Given the complexity of the topics covered and the number of researchers, a single event may influence several concepts and there may therefore be some repetition with different approaches.

The potential role of producer and consumer food policies in the EU to sustainable food and nutrition security

2018

EU sustainable food and nutrition security is no sure-fire success. The future of the agro-food system is uncertain and subject to different macro-level trends. Previous analysis revealed the role of food system drivers creating challenges and opportunities for dietary and environmental improvements under certain future constellations. However, these challenges and opportunities need to be addressed by policies to allow for actual improvements in the sustainability performance of EU food systems, for people, planet and profit. In this deliverable, an assessment and pre-test of potential policy measures is carried out. The policy analyses are contrasted to a ‘business-as-usual’ baseline scenario with current trends of food system drivers. We apply the SUSFANS modelling toolbox in order to test relevant policy measures in four distinct aqua-agro-food policy sectors. Regarding health and nutrition of the EU population, we provide a ranking of potential dietary policies and intervention...

An agroecological Europe by 2050: What impact on land use, trade and global food security?

2021

Because of the reduction in the consumption of animal protein and the relocation of plant protein production, an agroecological EU outperforms today’s system in providing nutrients/calories to the rest of the world, and becomes a net exporter of calories by 12% of what it consumes. Indeed, while today the EU is a major exporter in value terms thanks to high value commodities (ex. spirits, wine, cheese, cigarettes and other high processed commodities) that are not part and parcel of global food security, it is a net importer of calories and proteins by 11% and 26% of what it consumes, respectively. No sustainable agroecological transition can happen in the EU without strong policies that: • Support a great dietary transition towards healthier and less calorie-dense diets with less animal and ultra-processed food products; • Maintain EU price and non-price competitiveness in the domestic and foreign markets through agronomic research, a better coordination between actors and a market ...

EU Policy for Agriculture, Food and Rural Areas

2011

Introduction and outline 1. Subject matter 2. Public policies 3. Scientific approaches 4. Approach and outline of the book References 1. European integration and its relevance for agriculture, food and rural areas Abstract 1.1 Agriculture: a frontrunner or obstacle in the processes of European integration? 1.2 Historical development of EU policies for agriculture, food and rural areas 1.3 Other related European policies 1.4 New emphases and priorities 1.5 International dimension References Part II. Institutional framework 2. EU institutions and decision-making processes Abstract 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Council of the European Union 2.3 The European Commission 2.4 The European Parliament 2.5 The Court of Justice and the Court of Auditors 2.6 Decision-making, implementation and scrutiny 2.7 Lobbying 2.8 Summary of the new elements from the Lisbon Treaty References EU policy for agriculture, food and rural areas 7 Table of contents 3. The EU budget Abstract 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Financial frameworks 3.3 Growing financial discipline 3.4 'Budget imbalances' and budgetary reforms 3.5 Conclusions References 4. The WTO context Abstract 4.1 Introduction 4.2 WTO: a historical perspective (1948-1994) 4.3 WTO rules for agriculture, food and environment 4.4 The WTO as an organisation 4.5 Doha Development Agenda (1999-present) 4.6 Conclusions References 4A. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and EU agriculture and food policy Abstract 4A.1 Introduction 4A.2 The GMO industry 4A.3 GMOs and the EU 4A.4 Conclusions References 4B. European standards in trade and development Abstract 4B.1 EU public and private standards 4B.2 Food standards as barriers and catalysts for developing country exports 4B.3 EU public and private standards and development References. EU policy for agriculture, food and rural areas Table of contents 5. Developing countries and EU agricultural and food policy: opportunities and threats Abstract 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Developing countries and EU agricultural trade flows 5.3 EU response to criticisms of the CAP 5.4 Welfare effects of agricultural trade liberalisation 5.5 Increased market access: diverging welfare effects for developing countries v 5.6 Recent developments 5.7 Conclusions References 133 6. Public and private roles in agri-food and rural policy-making 135 Abstract 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Framework of analysis 6.3 Public and private standards in the agri-food sector 6.4 Public and private roles in rural policy 6.5 Conclusions References Part III. Agriculture 7. Agriculture and the food chain ^> Abstract 7.1 Introduction 7.2 The food chain from an agricultural perspective 7.3 Value added in agriculture 7.4 Sharing the pie 153 7.5 The changing position of agriculture and food 154 7.6 An analytical framework 156 7.7 The role of policies 161 References 163 Appendix 164 EU policy for agriculture, food and rural areas Table of contents 8. Market, price and quota policy: half a century of CAP experience Abstract 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Agricultural market and price policy 166 8.3 Principles 169 8.4 Classic market regulations 8.5 Reform of the market organisations 8.6 The single common market organisation 179 8.7 Market and price policy in future years" References 182 8A. Private market and price stabilisation methods 183 Abstract 8A.1 Policy reform, globalisation and price risk management challenges 8A.2 Income stabilisation methods: the role of futures and forward contracts 8A.3 Forward contracts 8A.4 Private markets and market policy References 189 9. Direct income support and cross-compliance Abstract 19l' 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Direct income support, decoupling and cross-compliance 9.3 The Single Payment Scheme 9.4 Cross-compliance in more detail 9.5 The way ahead References 9A. The bond scheme Abstract 9A.1 Introduction 9A.2 Characteristics of a bond scheme 9A.3 Advantages and disadvantages 9A.4 Contrasts with the Single Payment Scheme 210 9A.5 A future bond scheme? 211 References 211 10. Agricultural multifunctionality, trade liberalisation and Europe's new land debate Abstract 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Multifunctionality as an attribute of contemporary agriculture 10.3 Multifunctionality in the CAP 10.4 Contesting multifunctionality in the WTO 10.5 Europe's new land debate : 10.6 Conclusions ' "-' References 11. Animal health policy Abstract 11.1 Introduction 11.2 The EU framework foranimal health 224 11.3 EU animal health strategy: a fresh approach 11.4 Conclusions 232 References 12. Plant health policy Abstract 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Plant pests, their consequences and need for regulation 12.3 The international framework on plant health policy 12.4 Plant health policy within the European Union 12.5 Future developments and challenges References 13. Animal welfare policy in the European Union Abstract 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Development of EU animal welfare legislation 13.3 Policy issues 13.4 Policy options References