AFCC calls to strengthen food systems’ resilience during crisis times through innovation
On Monday, 28th November, the Agri-Food Chain Coalition (AFCC) held an event at the European Parliament around the need to strengthen food systems’ resilience and autonomy during crisis, hosted by MEP Marlene Mortler.
The event brought together representatives from the European Parliament, Parliamentary Policy Advisors, the FAO Liaison Office of Brussels, and many other stakeholders and representatives of the agri-food chain to discuss and support innovative solutions and policies in the European agriculture and farming sector.
Host MEP Marlene Mortler opened the event and presented some key elements of her INI report titled: Ensuring food security and long-term resilience of the EU agriculture: “Our European food production urgently needs to become a strategic cornerstone for Europe. The topic of food security should be re-imagined beyond times of crisis within the wider Farm to Fork strategy and its reduction targets. European and global supply should be robust and crisis-proof. The Commission must focus much more quickly and strongly on digital innovations. The goal should be: reduction of inputs through innovation!”.
Raschad AlKhafaji, Director of FAO Brussels underscored the paramount importance of partnerships in “transforming agrifood systems to make them more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life for all”.
Ana Granados, Director of EFFAB (European Animal Breeders) and current Chair of the AFCC, concluded: “Food security, as defined by FAO, and as described in the own-initiative report of MEP Mortler, is not limited to the provision of food, but also encompasses the internationally recognized human right to food and access to healthy diets for all. This shows us how innovative solutions and policies are needed; as improved crisis preparedness and dynamic mechanisms to create a friendly policy environment for innovation in the EU.”
The AFCC is united in its call for sustainable, solution-oriented, and innovative policies that strengthen food systems’ resilience and autonomy in our current times of crisis. The AFCC is committed to addressing the current challenges faced in the EU and is encouraging cutting-edge solutions for a more sustainable, competitive, efficient, and secure agri-food system in Europe.
About the AFCC:
The Agri-Food Chain Coalition (AFCC) is a joint initiative representing 11 associations across the agri-food system and promoting innovative solutions to tackle challenges the sector faces. Members represent European farmers, cooperatives, and companies from the agriculture and livestock sector, farm equipment, plant and animal breeders, fertilisers, crop protection, animal health, feed, biotechnology-based products, and agricultural trade.