Cultivar_3_Alimentação sustentável e saudávell

A indústria alimentar e produção alimentar sustentável 31 to support these demands and work continues in this area to respond to anticipated future demands of the ever more food conscious citizen. On a more global note, trade must be facilitated and agreements negotiated to allow for the exchange of products and raw materials, particularly when some raw materials become scarce or some areas of the world are facing dire climate or demographic conditions. * * * The European food industry is really key in the global playfield not only in terms of contribution to the global food turnover (the EU is the number 1 food and drink producer in terms of turnover) but also innovation, quality & safety as well as sustainability. It is essential that the food sector in Europe remains a leading industry in this part of the world and contributes substantially to global developments. We have not yet reached our full potential, in particular because we have not yet managed to create a completely operational Single European Market. Of course, food safety regulation and standards are similar throughout Europe and allow us to enjoy one of the safest foods in the world. But these common standards do not apply to everything and too many obstacles still hamper the free circulation of goods across borders from one European Union country to another. It is essential for our industry to be able to enjoy the benefits of the Single Market if we are to remain competitive. The role of European regulation is to facilitate the circulation of goods and products within the EU. To that extent, we need what we call “smart regulation” ie not regulation for the sake of regulation, but regulation which clearly aims to facilitate the Single Market. We must look to remove barriers for food and drink products through effective implementation and enforcement of the existing Single Market rules. To support those, we should develop integrated policies for climate and for energy. More generally, we need to be given the tools to generate an actual EU industrial policy for the food and drink sector. Besides a functioning Single market, this also means fostering sustainable production and consumption at EU level; developing sustainable employment and labour productivity; increasing trade opportunities; supporting SMEs, which are the backbone of Europe’s economy; and finally building a real innovation Union in Europe. Similarly, a smoothly functioning European Single Market will enhance global trade. If all European countries speak with one voice, they are much stronger on the international scene and can be much more competitive in international trade negotiations. * * * Whatever aspect we look at, we need to prepare ourselves now in view of the challenges that lie ahead, in Europe and globally. Cooperation with authorities plays a crucial part. The food industry has a key role to play but it cannot do it alone. Partnerships and alliances will prove essential and facilitating dialogues with authorities and consumer representatives will be key, so that we can continue to pursue the same goals without blocking innovation and product development. FoodDrinkEurope is convinced that now, and in the future, a multi-stakeholder approach is the strongest, most viable and efficient way to tackle societal challenges related to food and healthy nutrition. We have already committed for example to helping halve edible food waste in the EU by 2020, so why stop there; we are now contemplating even more ambitious goals. But not alone. We are ready to play our part, to continue innovating, adapting and mitigating but we need a united front to tackle the huge societal challenges that lie ahead in the coming 30 years….