Towards a European Food Policy Council as a new governance model in the future EU Framework on Sustainable Food Systems

Context:

The EESC's own-initiative opinion calls for forming a European Food Policy Council (EFPC) as a governance tool for food systems, ensuring meaningful civil society engagement, particularly from young people, in the development, monitoring, and implementation of more coherent food policies. The involvement of education authorities is also highlighted as a means to promote sustainable and healthy food education for future generations.

Key points:

The Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment ( NAT) has adopted an opinion: Towards a European Food Policy Council as a new governance model in the future EU Framework on Sustainable Food Systems

 In the opinion, the EESC:

1. Underlines that a new governance for food policies is needed given the urgency of the food system crisis and the need for rapid behavioural change,
2. Believes that the European Food Policy Council, a form of  a science-based and multi-stakeholder platform, will improve the food policymaking by promoting integration, participation, and alignment across EU, national, and local levels,
3. Is also ready to provide a convening space for the  European Food Policy Council, following the successful model of the circular economy stakeholders platform.

Section:

Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment ( NAT)

Rapporteur:  Piroska KÁLLAY (Workers - GR II / Hungary)

Reference: Own-initiative opinion

Date of the section meeting:  1 June 2023

Results of the section meeting vote: 52 votes in favour, none against and 1 abstention.

Date of adoption at the EESC plenary session:  14 June 2023

Results of the plenary session vote: 179 in favour, 1 against, 2 abstentions