On 6 May, leading representatives from the European food chain together with the European Commission joined hands to launch the European Food Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Round Table.

Speaking at the event Jean Martin, President of CIAA, said “There is only one planet. We must use our resources wisely, also for the sake of consumers and businesses. It is imperative to develop sound methodologies to fight consumer confusion.”

Copa and Cogeca Secretary-General Pekka Pesonen stressed the importance of the task ahead and stated “a global holistic approach for sustainable consumption and production is necessary. European legislation alone cannot address this challenge”.

“In times of economic crisis, the food chain must not forget major long-term priorities such as the sustainability of its production chain” said Anne Santamaki, President of Euro Coop.

European Commission representatives, lead by Karl Falkenberg, Director General Environment and Loretta Dormal-Marino, Deputy Director General Agriculture & Rural Development, endorsed the initiative and reiterated that beyond economic aspects, food quality, safety and security together with the maintenance of high environmental standards form key aspects of  sustainability. Andriana Sukova-Tosheva (Cabinet of Commissioner Meglena Kuneva) stressed the crucial role of consumers: “We must empower them with credible information”.

The Round Table will be co-chaired by the European Commission and representatives of the European food chain. Its objectives are to establish, by 2011, scientifically reliable and uniform environmental assessment methodologies for food and drink products and to identify suitable means of voluntary communication to consumers. It will also promote and report on continuous improvement initiatives along the whole food chain.

The Round Table is open to relevant stakeholders, based on expertise and commitment.

Founding participants in the European Food SCP Round Table
(in alphabetic order)

CELCAA - European Liaison Committee for the Agricultural and Agri‐Food Trade
CIAA - Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries in the EU
COPA‐COGECA - European Farmers and European Agri‐cooperatives
EFMA - European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association
EURO COOP - European Community of Consumer Cooperatives
EUROPEN - European Organization for Packaging and the Environment
FEFAC - European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation
IFAH - Europe International Federation for Animal Health – Europe
PRO EUROPE - Packaging Recovery Organisation Europe

The Round Table is co‐chaired by the European Commission.

Supportive organisations include:

EEA - European Environment Agency
UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

For further information please contact:

• Download this press release (.pdf)