Bringing food policy to the EU table

Over half of European adults are overweight or obese, leading to severe health issues such as heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. At the same time, our food systems drive environmental damage — from global warming and deforestation to biodiversity loss and pollution. Power imbalances and overproduction in the food supply chain push prices down, squeeze farmers’ incomes and add to the already significant food waste, with EU consumers discarding nearly a quarter of their food purchases.

In response, the EU launched the Farm2Fork strategy in May 2020 as part of the Green Deal, aiming to build sustainable food systems.

Having issued 17 sets of recommendations between 2017 and 2023, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a pioneer in advocating for a more integrated approach to food policy. We emphasise the need for sustainable, healthy, and fair food systems that ensure food security while linking agriculture to nutrition and ecosystem services. Our advocacy inspired several aspects of the  Farm2Fork strategy, with key recommendations included in the final 2020 draft.

The  EESC  is  a  strong  advocate for  establishing an EU Food Policy Council (EFPC) — a proposal that is gaining traction among civil society organisations. This    initiative    would    create    a    science-based, multi stakeholder platform to tackle the complex challenges of the food system, improving collaboration and the quality of EU food policy. Existing forums have fallen short, and the EFPC is essential to bridging the gap.

Through collaboration with civil society organisations and a series of events, we promote food democracy and sustainability across Europe. Since 2022, we have co-hosted the EU Organic Awards with the European Commission, recognising excellence and innovation in organic production.

In January 2024, the EESC adopted recommendations for the post-2027 common agricultural policy, pushing for more sustainable food options that are both accessible to EU consumers and affordable for socially vulnerable groups.

Looking ahead

The EESC remains committed to promoting sustainable food systems through initiatives like the EU Organic Awards, engaging a broad range of stakeholders. In addition to raising awareness and increasing organic food consumption, we urge the public sector to prioritise regional organic products in public procurement. We will work actively with the next EU Commission to propose a Framework Law on Sustainable Food Systems, ensuring it becomes a legislative priority.

We believe that building sustainable and healthy food systems will require a thorough overhaul of our policy approach and a culture that attributes the right value to food. Peter Schmidt, President of the EESC Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment Section (NAT)

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