The EU SAM Released Policy Recommendations on Sustainable Food Consumption.

Euro Coop welcomes the release of scientific opinion and policy recommendations by the EU Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) on sustainable food consumption. As an organisation representing co-operative retail businesses across Europe, we recognise the importance of addressing barriers to sustainable and healthy diets. 

A group of top scientists from across Europe has provided crucial advice to the EU Commission, offering guidance on transforming food consumption in Europe to promote healthier and more sustainable dietary practices. The recommendations, handed over to the European Commission recently, were developed in response to a request from the College of Commissioners to the Scientific Advice Mechanism, aiming to inform the revision of the Farm to Fork strategy.

Traditionally, the European Union has primarily focused on increasing information available to consumers. However, experts concur that this approach alone is insufficient. People's food choices are influenced by a multitude of factors beyond mere information. To truly make sustainable and healthy food an accessible and affordable option, policies must go beyond informing consumers and address the entire food environment, including the places where food is obtained, eaten, and discussed. 

The recommendations put forth by the group of top scientists address crucial policy areas, including pricing, availability, composition, and the influence of social and digital environments on food choices. By addressing these multifaceted aspects, the scientific advice aims to guide the European Commission towards creating an environment where sustainable and healthy food choices become the norm, benefiting both individuals and the environment.

Euro Coop recognises the importance of transforming food consumption practices in Europe and supports the policy recommendations released by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors. With its experience and expertise in promoting sustainable and healthy food choices, Euro Coop endorses these recommendations by providing insights and comments:

 Recommendation 0: Holistic Strategies and Harmonized Governance 

Euro Coop fully endorses a holistic view and long-term strategies to support sustainable food systems. We recognise the importance of coherence among different legislative measures, regulatory interventions, and economic interventions. To ensure a level playing field and increase consumer trust in food sustainability claims, a harmonized governance system at the EU level is essential.

 Recommendation 1: Incentives and Fiscal Disincentives

Euro Coop supports the proposal to make healthy and sustainable food options easy and affordable choices. In this regard, we highlight that the existing price gap between organic and conventional food mainly stems from cheap food prices that do not reflect the true environmental and social costs. We endorse the introduction of taxes on unsustainable products and the reduction of subsidies for production systems with low environmental and social performances.

 Recommendation 2: Separate Considerations for Healthy Habits and Sustainability

Euro Coop emphasises the importance of distinguishing between considerations of healthy habits and sustainability. While supporting efforts to increase knowledge and awareness, we believe that a robust regulatory framework defining minimum sustainability requirements is crucial. These requirements should include the indexing of food products based on their production, processing, and distribution impacts. Clear definitions of these indices will enable the setting of time objectives for healthy and sustainable consumption. Euro Coop fully supports the use of digital tools to inform and educate consumers about the sustainability of the food system and endorses limiting the advertising of unhealthy and unsustainable foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol.

 Recommendation 3: Regulation and Reformulation

Euro Coop supports the encouragement of Member States to regulate the inclusion of unhealthy and unsustainable food products. Considering the international dimension of the issue, we endorse the mandate to reformulate food products to increase the availability of healthy and sustainable options. However, we suggest revising the wording related to the restriction of imports of unsustainable food products. We propose basing fiscal disincentives such as border adjustment taxes or bans on the evaluation of food products against sustainability indexes. We also recognise the importance of supporting local farmers practicing agroecology and suggest leveraging taxes or bans based on sustainability thresholds for imported products.

The recommendations released by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors offer a comprehensive and strategic approach that holds great promise for transforming food consumption practices in Europe. By addressing crucial policy areas and recognising the multifaceted nature of food choices, these recommendations have the potential to pave the way for an environment where sustainable and healthy food choices become the standard. Euro Coop stands in support of these recommendations, actively advocating for the regulation and reformulation of food products to promote the inclusion of healthier and more sustainable options. 

Read the report by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors