Securing the table: ensuring food supply in times of crisis

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has adopted a comprehensive Opinion on the proposed revision of the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation. While the EESC generally welcomes the Commission's efforts to simplify the regulatory framework and enhance the situation for farmers, it raises critical concerns regarding the balance between political ambition and the financial resources available.

Budgetary mismatch and strategic resilience

In our Opinion we highlight a significant mismatch between the high ambitions of the new proposal and the reduced Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget. While Member States are given the opportunity to introduce new sectoral interventions, the budget ringfenced for the CAP is smaller than in previous periods. Furthermore, the requirement for Member States to co-finance interventions — a practice not currently applied to the fruit and vegetable sectors — could jeopardise the stability of the internal market and create unfair competition. We insist that CAP objectives can only be achieved if the available budget matches the stated goals.

Food supply as an essential social function

Contingency protocols developed by Member States must explicitly recognise the food supply chain as an essential service. This designation should ensure that public authorities are legally obliged to facilitate the activities of all operators, from farming and processing to retail and logistics, during times of crisis.

These protocols should be applicable to a wide range of disruptions, including natural disasters, pandemics, and social unrest. The priority must be guaranteeing the continuity of food distribution from its point of origin directly to retail outlets and even home delivery. By ensuring the mobility of transport and the safety of workers, these plans aim to reassure the population, thereby preventing the "panic-buying" and hoarding that often exacerbate supply shortages.

A permanent crisis mechanism

To support this vision, we welcome the creation of a permanent European Food Security Crisis preparedness and response Mechanism (EFSCM). This body is intended to improve coordination between Member States and relevant stakeholders, ensuring the free movement of goods and workers across the entire agri-food sector. We suggest that this mechanism should leverage lessons learned from previous crises to identify the real needs of companies and consumers, facilitating a rapid and field-oriented response.

A modern approach to hemp and protein sovereignty

We call for a major shift in the regulation of the hemp sector and oppose the current proposals to restrict the use of hemp leaves and flowers as feed material, describing them as disproportionate and lacking a solid scientific basis. Instead, the EESC advocates for a risk-based approach that allows the valorisation of the entire plant, including leaves and straw, provided they come from varieties with a THC content below 0.3%.

Similarly, the EESC supports the creation of a specific protein crop sector to reduce Europe's external dependence on vegetable proteins. To ensure the success of this sector, we stress the need for agricultural innovation, specifically supporting the use of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) to develop more resilient and productive crop varieties.

Transparency and the protection of traditions

Finally, we strongly support semantic reservation for meat designations. Terms like "steak," "sausage," and "burger" should be reserved exclusively for products of animal origin to avoid consumer confusion and protect the identity of European livestock products. Beyond transparency, this measure recognises the historical and cultural significance of meat in a balanced diet and its role in maintaining the European landscape.

In conclusion, a resilient European agri-food sector requires a realistic budget, robust contingency planning that treats food as a fundamental social right, and a commitment to innovation that supports farmers, food industry, retailers and consumers.

By Felipe Medina, EESC Employers' Group member and Rapporteur of Opinion NAT/966 Revision of the Common market Organisation (CMO) Regulation.