4 Reasons Why the EU Should Put Sustainable Food and Agriculture at the Top of their Political Agenda
In the context of this year's elections for new political figures in the EU, as well as the subsequent formation of a new EU Parliament, many daunting decisions have been made about the environment and the long-term transition to sustainable food systems and agriculture. Seized with electoral fever and pressured by powerful Big Agri lobbies, Brussels and national governments have been hastily backtracking on key EU environmental policy files, including those on the Farm to Fork Strategy (published in 2020), which is Europe’s flagship green plan to reshape how we farm and eat, is in danger, putting not only the planet and farmers’ livelihoods at risk, but also the future of EU’s food production and consumption. Not only the future of the climate and the planet, but also the livelihoods of farmers and the food security of the Union are at stake.
Here are 4 reasons why the EU must prioritize sustainable food and agriculture and put them front and center of their political agenda.
1. Human health
Food is a basic human need. What we consume has a strong long-term effect on our health. Current agricultural policies prioritize industrial practices at the cost of public welfare.
And yet millions of European citizens face uncertainty. In 2020, 8.6% of the EU population cannot afford a proper meal every second day. Current inflation tends to make thing worse.
Switching to more plant-based foods may ensure healthier diets. Instead of investing millions into the production of processed food and supporting pesticide-producing corporations, the EU has a responsibility and must facilitate access to fresh, seasonal food produced by small and medium-sized farms.
2. Biodiversity Restoration and Climate Resilience
Agriculture is both a contributor (11% of all greenhouse gases emitted in the EU) and a victim to climate change. The extreme weather events, shifting growing seasons and declining crop yields already impacting European farmers and citizens. The EU expects its overall cereal production to be 4.3% below the 5-year average in the current season, mostly because of bad weather.
And as climate change increasingly affects agriculture, intensive farming exacerbates the problem. This method, characterized by large-scale monoculture farming, heavy use of chemical inputs like pesticides and fertilizers, has led to the destruction of natural habitats, soil erosion, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity. In Europe, the number and variety of species on farmland has declined over the years – 30% of farmland birds and grassland butterflies have disappeared since 1990), and studies show insect populations are collapsing.
Transitioning to agroecology is crucial for EU biodiversity and climate resilience. Agroecological practices promote healthy soils, protect pollinators, conserve water resources, and enhance plant and animal diversity. Concrete policies like the Nature Restoration Law should be implemented at the EU level to ensure biodiversity protection is a priority in agricultural policy. It is imperative for the EU to take action now to safeguard natural resources for future generations.
3. Economic Viability and Rural Development
Agriculture is a vital sector of the EU economy, providing jobs and income for millions of people, particularly in rural areas. Yet in 2020, there were 9.1 million small farms in the EU, which is 5.3 million fewer than in 2005 (- 37%). This decline stems from various factors, including agricultural intensification, urbanization, and economic pressures.
Аgricultural subsidies (namely under the EU Common Agricultural Policy) often favor larger, more industrialized farms, further disadvantaging small scale sustainable food producers. As a result, many of them have been forced out of business or absorbed into larger agricultural enterprises.
Small farms play a key role in the EU’s rural world, as they help protect landscape features and biodiversity, while maintaining lively rural and remote areas, and offering employment in regions with fewer opportunities, for instance by allowing the existence of local shops like bakeries, food markets and more. Preserving the small actors of the food chain is essential for Europe’s social fabric and cultural heritage.
EU must reorient its agricultural policies towards supporting sustainable farming practices and empowering small-scale producers.
- Food Sovereignty and Social Justice
The EU food system fails to protect the livelihood of small-and-medium scale farmers, due to policies and subsidies favoring big agribusinesses, limited market access (due to the dominance of supermarket chains and big companies in the food supply chain), and bureaucratic barriers. The failure of our current food system has also been seen in the escalation of fuel, feed, and fertilizer costs, along with interruptions in the supply of crucial globally traded goods, which has driven up food prices and heightened global food insecurity.
But the EU has the power to change this status quo, by investing in EU food sovereignty, meaning by supporting the autonomy and agency of small-scale food producers and workers in the face of increasing corporate power over our food – from production to consumption.
Food sovereignty, a concept advocating for the rights of communities to control their own food systems, is inherently linked to social justice for farmers. By promoting local and traditional farming practices, food sovereignty empowers farmers to regain control over the way they produce food. Additionally, food sovereignty fosters community resilience by prioritizing the needs of local populations and promoting equitable access to nutritious food. In essence, by championing food sovereignty, the EU would not only support the autonomy of farmers but also strive for a more just and equitable food system for all.