Welcome to this first edition of CIAA�s e-newsletter.  CIAA is the voice of the European food and drink industry � largest manufacturing sector, major employer and exporter in the EU � with membership made up of 25 national food and drink industry federations, 32 European sector associations and 22 major food and drink companies.  The role of CIAA is to represent the interests of the food and drink industry at both European and international level by promoting a legislative framework which is conducive to innovation and the competitiveness of industry.

This new bimonthly e-newsletter is being launched with the aim of reaching not just our members and policy makers, but also those externally wishing to find out more about CIAA�s activities.  Featuring key events, policy developments, industry positions, publications and other food and drink industry related issues, our e-newsletter will highlight the important issues which drive the work of CIAA.

Each e-newsletter will feature a highlight article, and we begin this first edition with highlights of the CIAA recommendation on Nutrition Labelling.

Other important developments for CIAA in recent times were the publication of the CIAA Benchmarking Report on Competitiveness and CIAA�s Memorandum to the Finnish Presidency of the EU, both of which underline the global challenges and opportunities which confront the industry.

We very much look forward to producing an informative, interesting, and widely read newsletter.  Complementing this e-newsletter is of course our CIAA website www.ciaa.be, where you can find additional information on CIAA�s work.

We hope you will find this first edition of interest.

Daniela Israelachwili

Director General of CIAA