FoodDrinkEurope has unveiled its Food Investment and Resilience Plan, aimed at bolstering the competitiveness and sustainability of the European food and drink industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plan details this sector as the EU’s largest manufacturing industry, comprising 291,000 companies and generating a collective turnover of \u20ac1.1 trillion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
99% of these companies are small- and medium-seized enterprises (SME) with 235,000 employing fewer than nine people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FoodDrinkEurope also said that the industry also stands as the largest employer in manufacturing, providing 4.6 million jobs and paying \u20ac110 billion in wages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The EU is recognised as the world’s top exporter of food and drink products, with exports valued at \u20ac182 billion, according to the detail contained within the plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sector is intertwined with European agriculture, converting approximately 70% of the continent\u2019s agricultural produce into high-value products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The industry has invested in research and innovation, with \u20ac2.1 billion spent annually by just 10 major EU companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FoodDrinkEurope\u2019s plan is structured around five core areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To meet the EU’s food sustainability ambitions, the plan highlights a significant financing gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It calls for a more targeted Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and the development of a comprehensive food investment strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This includes securing at least \u20ac30 billion in the first year for sustainable agriculture, \u20ac7 billion for plastic recycling targets, and addressing a \u20ac.5.5 billion loan gap for agri-food businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plan emphasises accelerating food innovation to lead in sustainable and resilient food systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It calls for faster procedures for the risk assessment and approval of sustainable food solutions and the establishment of public-private partnerships to translate research into marketable innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To maintain its leading position in global food trade, the plan advocates for an ambitious EU trade agenda and market access strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This involves removing trade barriers, enhancing international cooperation, and ensuring stable access to global supplies to guarantee industry resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plan calls for the simplification and harmonisation of regulations to reduce unnecessary costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It stresses the importance of grounding EU policy in firm principles to enhance the single market, ensure fairness along the supply chain, and consider the needs of SMEs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improved coordination and governance within EU institutions are deemed essential in the report. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The plan proposes the creation of a food policy coordination unit and the appointment of an executive vice-president of the European Commission for agri-food to ensure cohesive and strategic policy development.<\/p>\n\n\n