The European Union’s sustainable food system framework aims to create an efficient policy that promotes sustainability in all food-related policies. The framework aims to transition all food products placed on the EU market into being increasingly sustainable. This framework will combine certification and labeling on the sustainability performance of food products and targeted incentives to promote sustainable practices and raise sustainability standards. As a result, these practices will serve as the norm for all food products in the EU market.
The framework requires all actors of the food chain, such as farmers, fishers, and aquaculture producers, to play their part in achieving sustainability. These actors need to transform their production methods faster and make better use of nature-based, technological, digital, and space-based solutions to improve their climate and environmental results. The new green business model of carbon sequestration by farmers and foresters provides an opportunity for farmers to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, contributing to the climate neutrality objective. They stand to benefit from a new source of income while also helping other sectors decarbonise.
Farms also hold potential to produce bio-gas from other sources of waste and residues, such as from the food and beverage industry, sewage, wastewater, and municipal waste. The circular bio-based economy is still an untapped potential for farmers and their cooperatives. For example, advanced bio-refineries that produce bio-fertilisers, protein feed, bio-energy, and bio-chemicals offer opportunities for the creation of new jobs in primary production and transitioning to a climate-neutral European economy.
The Commission will work on common definitions, general principles, and requirements for sustainable food systems and foods. Following broad consultation and impact assessment, the framework will also address the responsibilities of all actors in the food system and promote policy coherence at an EU and national level. The framework’s legislative proposal will be presented before the end of 2023, strengthening the resilience of food systems and mainstreaming sustainability in all food-related policies.
In conclusion, the sustainable food system framework promotes an efficient policy that aims to transition all food products in the EU market into being sustainable. It aims to achieve sustainability by requiring all actors of the food chain to play their part and promoting policy coherence at both an EU and national level. By combining certification, labeling, and targeted incentives, the framework will encourage sustainable practices and raise sustainability standards. This framework offers a new business model for farmers and foresters, paving the way towards a climate-neutral European economy.
