As the clocks counts down to the UK’s exit from the EU and European elections in May, FoodDrinkEurope (FDE), has published its policy priorities for the years ahead and called for the “least disruptive outcome” to the final Brexit negotiations.

“FDE calls on the EU and UK negotiators to agree on the least disruptive outcome for the food and drink sector – one that would enable us to continue to provide and support jobs across Europe and achieve our ambition of 2.5-3.5 percent annual growth by 2025. The food and drink industry is one of the success stories of the Single Market – our supply chains are complex and often work across Member States, our products move seamlessly across borders and between countries,” FoodDrinkEuropes Director General, Mella Frewen, tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

As a result, people all over the EU, including the UK, can enjoy a variety of European foodstuffs, regardless of their location. “Regrettably, this means we have a lot to lose in an unfavorable Brexit outcome – but we are determined to work with all our partners and other stakeholders to find a pragmatic solution, and minimize the damage that Brexit may cause.”  

“We want to take stock of what the Single Market for food and drinks has brought to us thus far and reflect on how we can further reinforce what we see as the most significant achievement of the EU,” Frewen comments. “We will continue asking policy-makers to champion and defend the EU Single Market for food and drinks, which over recent years has seen an increasing trend towards re-nationalization, protectionism and fragmentation.” 

“Our work in the next years will focus on the changes that Brexit will bring about, the progress of EU Free Trade Agreements and cooperation with third countries to strengthen bilateral trade relations, consumer information, nutrition and health, and environmental sustainability issues such as packaging, combating food waste, climate and energy,” she notes.

FDE, the organization of Europe’s food and drink industry has laid out its key concerns for future MEPs which include ensuring better regulation and less fragmentation of the Single Market, guaranteeing a fair and strong agri-food supply chain, investing in food education and setting a strong food trade agenda which recognizes the importance of food in EU policies. 

Sustainability, education, and implementing an ambitious food research and innovation policy are also high on the agenda, according to FDE’s new report “Let’s step up to the plate.” 

One of the main points, according to FDE, is to make sure that as the EU enters a new and challenging post-Brexit period, EU lawmakers are encouraged to carefully consider giving more prominence to the food sector in the EU’s Institutional design. This could include the creation of a Directorate for Food in the European Commission, as well as a dedicated European Parliament Intergroup on Food, says FDE.

“Our industry has remained resilient throughout challenging times. In order to continue to grow, innovate and create new jobs, we need the right business environment in which to operate, with food being placed in the center of all relevant discussions,” Frewen tells FoodIngredientsFirst.

In addition, strengthening and completing the Single Market for food and drinks is an absolute necessity to uphold the competitiveness, quality and sustainability of the food and drink sector in Europe and its position as a leader in global trade, she notes. 

“The Single Market for food and drinks deserves more recognition in the European Commission, Parliament and Council. For instance, the creation of a Directorate for Food [not limited to agriculture] could be envisaged in the European Commission, as well as a dedicated European Parliament Intergroup on Food,” says Frewen.

Over the past five years, political and legislative developments have demonstrated very clearly that the EU Institutions have played a crucial role in drawing up, finalizing and delivering on a host of important dossiers, Frewen explains. “The work of the EU Institutions has a direct influence on all key issues affecting Europe’s food and drink industry, from food safety to the Single Market, and from innovation to trade, to name but a few,” she says. 

“As the EU enters a new and challenging period, EU policy-makers will play a decisive role in laying the foundations of stability and prosperity for years to come,” Frewen continues. “This is an important responsibility that will necessitate positive engagement with all stakeholders concerned.”

Looking at the period after this year’s elections, she is hopeful that policy-makers take a balanced, harmonized European approach to legislation to enable industry to continue to provide growth and jobs for EU citizens, ensure consumer satisfaction and well-being and secure environmental sustainability, she states. 

Frewen further notes that much remains to be done  and “we are determined to continue our successes over the next institutional mandate.” 

As the EU enters a new and challenging period, policy-makers will play a decisive role in laying the foundations of stability and prosperity for the future. 

“This is an important responsibility that will necessitate positive engagement with all stakeholders concerned. We look forward to more close collaboration in the years to come,” Frewen concludes.