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Intensive agriculture is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss in EuropeÌý()Ìýand is a threat toÌý86%ÌýofÌýspecies at risk of extinction globallyÌý().ÌýAchievingÌýsustainable food systemsÌýisÌýthe only realistic alternative to halt biodiversity loss and ensure food security for future generations, and the Farm to Fork Strategy isÌýan importantÌýtoolÌýtoÌýhelpÌýmake it possible.Ìý

TheÌýParliament’s now agreed positionÌýwas a joint negotiation between the Environment and Agriculture CommitteesÌýwhich acknowledged the urgent need to transition towards sustainable food systems in the EU. The report, which was hotly debatedÌýin recent weeks [1],Ìýwas todayÌýgiven theÌýÌýwhoÌýalsoÌýwelcomed the objectives of the Farm to Fork Strategy regarding environmental impact, climate change, biodiversity, food security and fair trade.ÌýÌý

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥Ìýreiterates itsÌýsupportÌýforÌýtheÌýoverall objectiveÌýofÌýtheÌýFarm to ForkÌýStrategyÌýtoÌýtransitionÌýto a sustainable EU food system andÌýspecifically the targets onÌýpesticides, fertilisers and antimicrobials reductionÌýandÌýthe promotion of sustainable agriculturalÌýapproaches.ÌýÌý

Now that the EU Parliament hasÌýfully supported the Strategy, focus willÌýturn to its implementation andÌýthe upcoming national CommonÌýAgriculturalÌýPolicy (CAP)ÌýStrategic Plans. The Commission and Member States shouldÌýnowÌýensure the integration of the Farm to Fork and its targets into theirÌýCAPÌýplans.ÌýÌý

For further information, contact Edel Shanahan, Policy and Communications Officer

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Footnote

[1]ÌýTheÌývoteÌýtookÌýplaceÌýinÌýthe context ofÌýconcerns around the impact of Farm to Fork on the productivity of European agriculture. Three studies published byÌýJoint Research Centre (JRC), United States Department of Agriculture andÌýWageningen UniversityÌýconcluded that the implementation of the strategy would lead to a reduction in productivity. However,Ìýthe results of these studies should be carefully interpreted before judging the potential and relevance of the whole strategy.ÌýThe studies only analysedÌýÌý(mostlyÌýpesticides and fertiliser reduction and organic farmland increase), whilst the Farm to Fork aims to change food systems integrally, including consumption patterns and food waste rates.ÌýNone of the studies considered the positive effects that the improved environmental status would have on agricultural productivity, or the impact of changes in consumer behaviour on demand. Importantly,Ìýthe studies did not examine the cost of no action.ÌýThe JRC study itself highlights these pointsÌýin itsÌýÌýÌý