“Put an EU food policy in place”, ECVC joins campaigners across Europe demanding an integrated food policy
The European Coordination Via Campesina with thirty-two leading campaign groups, farming organizations, and think tanks have come together to call on the next European Commission President to put an EU food policy in place. In an open letter to the lead candidates for the presidency, the coalition – representing the sectors of farming, fisheries, environment, animal welfare, health, consumers, development, social justice, climate, and forestry– are also calling for a European Commission Vice-President to be made responsible for ensuring the transition to sustainable food systems.
“A transition towards sustainable food systems is urgently needed to deliver numerous benefits for people and the planet, and to address some of the existential threats that we face. It will ensure the ecological transition necessary to tackle climate change impacts, water scarcity, soil degradation, biodiversity collapse, fish stock depletion, animal welfare, chemical pollution, and food waste and loss. It will allow farmers and fishers to achieve a fair income, as a basis for thriving rural communities. It will also halt the spread of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by making healthy and sustainable diets affordable and accessible for all citizens. It will help alleviate poverty and ensure food security in the Global South.”, the letter states.
The open letter echoes the key findings of IPES-Food’s February 2019 report, ‘Towards a Common Food Policy for the EU’.