Thematic debate on "The European Green Deal – the farm to fork strategy"

The European Green Deal

Becoming the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 may be Europe's ever greatest challenge and opportunity. To achieve this, the European Commission has presented the European Green Deal, a package of measures in eight key policy areas:

  • increasing the EU’s climate ambition for 2030 and 2050,
  • supplying clean, affordable and secure energy,
  • mobilising industry for a clean and circular economy,
  • building and renovating in an energy and resource efficient way,

 

  • accelerating the shift to sustainable and smart mobility,
  • from "Farm to Fork": designing a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system,
  • preserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity, and
  • a zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment.  

The debate at the NAT Section was devoted to the sixth of these strategies: a sustainable food system "from farm to fork".

The farm to fork strategy

Announced for the 31st March 2020, the Farm to Fork strategy will propose to:

  • increase organic farming,
  • preserve biodiversity,
  • protect the environment,
  • tackle climate change and
  • make sure Europeans get affordable, healthy and sustainable food.

It will also strengthen and support European farmers' and fishermen's efforts to achieve these objectives. No less than 40% of the overall 2021-2027 CAP budget, as well as 30% of the Maritime and Fisheries Fund, will have to contribute in one form or another to climate action.

Interventions by representatives of the European Commission

The debate involved representatives from the following Commission services: secretariat-general, DG AGRI, DG ENV, DG MARE, DG SANTE and DG TRADE.

  • François Arbault, Head of Unit, SG Natural Resources, Energy Union & Sustainability, European Commission
    Q/A with interventions from Josep Puxeu, Peter Schmidt and Lutz Ribbe
  • Alexandra Nikolakopoulou, Head of Unit, DG SANTE Food information and composition, food waste, European Commission
  • David Laureau, Policy Analyst,  DG AGRI Policy perspectives, European Commission
  • Felix Leinemann, Head of Unit, DG MARE Blue Economy Sectors, Aquaculture and Maritime Spatial Planning, European Commission
  • Flavio Coturni, Head of Unit, DG TRADE Agriculture, Fisheries, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Market Access, Biotechnology, European Commission
    Q/A with NAT Section Members
  • Anne Burrill, Adviser for Natural Capital, DG ENV
    Q/A with NAT Section Members

The presentation of François Arbault on the European Green Deal is available on this page.

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François Arbault - The European Green Deal