Union européenne
Main findings
Green claims and sustainable food labelling A number of participants agreed that most food labels are confusing and that consumers overall are ill-informed about the science behind green claims. Many agreed that they wanted more transparency. Overall, participants agreed on many points and there appeared to be only a few areas of divergence. Some citizens felt healthy eating should be merged with sustainability matters. It was agreed that there are many different dimensions and trade-offs within sustainability, which should be considered and clearly communicated on. Citizens generally thought
... Lire la suiteone single labelling method was best, such as sustainability scores using colours. In conclusion, transparency, trust and education were the three main big issues for the group and how they would welcome an EU label, to help consumers differ between an official label and a commercial label. The views of young people on sustainable consumption There was wide support for actions to encourage more young people to enter farming, for youth-led innovation, and for more opportunities for young people to engage in shaping food systems. Young people also require more opportunities to have their voices heard in policymaking. There is a need for reduction and valorisation of waste in a more circular economy. Education is necessary to increase understanding, and research is needed to provide a scientific basis for the complex trade-offs. Pricing and tax systems should aim to ensure that the price of foods reflects their real value and also ensure fair prices. Clear labelling based on objective, independent standards would help. Misleading claims and gaps in consumer information need to be addressed. Sustainable production Participants felt that competitive markets put a downward pressure on farmer prices, which has led to income problems, overspecialisation, and a lack of incentives for sustainable production. There is a need to internalise in food prices the negative environmental and social externalities of the food production model. The concept of an environmental tax was discussed. Cooperatives have a role as promoters of agricultural development, allowing farmers to develop their own technical assistance and get involved in new technologies. The COVID-19 pandemic showed the importance of keeping trade flowing and has produced new business models. Waste and food poverty, however, remain severe problems. Some participants argued that trade supports balanced diets and brings improvements to the agri-food sectors in developing countries. What is needed is better international trade, including regulation and sustainability standards, which are sensitive at a local level. Sustainable and healthy diets Participants agreed that it is important to provide education and to disseminate reliable information. More needs to be done to promote the availability and affordability of sustainable and healthy food. The group felt it was important that approaches have some nuance – there cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach to diet or sustainability. There was a consensus that diets need to be rebalanced in favour of eating more plant-based products while reducing meat consumption. However, as consumption patterns change, farmers should receive support. EU trade policies with other parts of the world should support the transition to more sustainable and healthy diets. Polices relating to pricing, fiscal incentives and subsidies could all be rolled out to encourage sustainable food production and healthier consumption habits. Prevention and reduction of food waste Participants agreed that there are weaknesses throughout, from producer to consumer, with no single answer. The primary issues were agreed to be a lack of connection between consumers and the origins of their food; a lack of clearly communicated fiscal or moral incentives; a loss of skills in reusing food and an understanding how much is wasted at household level; the issue of food pricing not reflecting the true environmental cost; and the need for education and information campaigns for children and adults. The group agreed that digital tools can help to address some of these challenges. There needs to be better preservation of food from the time of harvesting and processing. Antimicrobial resistance The group agreed that everyone involved in the food system should be provided with reliable information about antimicrobial resistance in food production. Creating a network of intermediaries, advisory services and government bodies could support farmers as they try to reduce the use of antimicrobials. There was a strong focus on better animal welfare. The creation of multi-stakeholder platforms could provide guidance, knowledge and investment. Trustworthy food labelling schemes should also be supported. Steps should be taken to improve the sustainability of the EU’s aquaculture sector, not least as a way of reducing reliance on imports that might have longer supply chains and production that is more difficult to monitor than EU production. The EU’s trade policies should be used to drive up standards across the world. Efforts could be made to develop and promote global standards for the use of antimicrobials in the food chain. Lire moins
Piste(s) d'Action: 1, 2, 3, 4
Mots-clés : Environment and Climate, Governance, Innovation, Policy, Trade-offs, Women & Youth Empowerment