Future of organic and quality foods and how we can step up consumption

Key points

The EESC:
 

• emphasises the need for a cross-cutting EU food policy that integrates organic farming and quality schemes into environmental, health, climate and rural development strategies;
• believes that integrated measures such as reduced VAT, public procurement for quality products, advisory services and innovation are needed to support the sustainable development of the sector;
• states that it is essential to reinforce control systems, harmonise equivalence standards and implement digital traceability, especially for imports;
• emphasises that promotional campaigns should include food education, sustainable tourism and territorial branding, supported by specialised national agencies;
• believes that an EU strategy is recommended with minimum targets (e.g. 25% quality products in schools/hospitals/public institutions etc.), commercial partnerships and thematic campaigns;
• calls on the European Commission, to develop a harmonised fiscal solution applicable across all Member States, allowing for reduced VAT rates for quality products to improve consumer access, stimulate demand and support the transition to a sustainable food system;
• supports the implementation of CAP measures targeting young farmers, women, small family farms and those undergoing ecological transition and recommends that, in candidate countries, such support be provided through pre-accession funding instruments;
• believes that certification procedures should be harmonised and adapted for small producers, including group certification or digital models;
• recommends regulating terms such as ‘natural’ and ‘traditional’ and sanctioning misleading use of geographical symbols, especially for processed products;
• calls for EU quality standards and labels to be recognised and protected in global trade, thereby promoting a fair and sustainable food model.