Parliament welcomes the Farm to Form Strategy and underlines the importance of producing sustainable and healthy food to achieve the goals of the European Green Deal, including on climate, biodiversity, zero pollution and public health.
MEPs highlighted the need for enhanced sustainability at every step of the food supply chain and reiterated that everyone – from farmer to consumer – has a role to play in this. To ensure that farmers can earn a fair share of the profit made from sustainably produced food, MEPs want the Commission to reinforce efforts – including through the adaptation of competition rules – to strengthen the position of farmers in the supply chain.
Other recommendations include:
Healthier food
- EU science-based recommendations for healthy diets, including a mandatory EU front-of-pack nutritional label
- Overconsumption of meat and highly processed foods with high salt, sugar and fat content must be addressed, including by setting maximum intake levels.
Pesticides and protection of pollinators
- Improvement of the pesticides approval process and better monitoring of implementation to protect pollinators andbiodiversity
- Binding reduction targets for pesticide use. Member states should implement targets through theirCAP Strategic Plans
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”must regulate and set ambitious targets for emissions from agriculture and related land use, including strict criteria for biomass-based renewable energy
- Natural carbon sinks must be restored and enhanced.
Animal welfare
- Need for common, science-based animal welfare indicators for stronger pan-EU harmonisation
- Current EU legislation must be evaluated to see if changes are needed
- Gradual end to theuse of cages in EU animal farming
- Non-EU animal products should be allowed only if their standards are EU-aligned.
Organic farming
- EU’s organic land should be increased by 2030
- Need for initiatives – promotion, public procurement and fiscal – to stimulate demand
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