Welcome to the 7th edition of our e-newsletter.

This autumn will offer numerous opportunities to shine the spotlight on Europe`s food and drink industry and on its contributions to the continent`s competitiveness and environmental sustainability as well as to healthy lifestyles.

The European Commission`s mid-term review of the 2005 industrial policy offers an opportunity to revisit some specific impacts of European policies on the food and drink sector.  CIAA will work with the Commission to demonstrate the impact of EU policies on its members, most of which are small- and medium-sized enterprises. We welcome the fact that the Commission is organising in November a special conference on the food and drink industry with a view to improving it`s leadership and increasing its competitiveness.

The launch of a new website - www.active-lifestyle.eu - will document and promote best practices of food and drink companies and their partners in the fight against obesity. Together with a number of awareness-raising activities focused on civil society, the new site will underline CIAA`s commitment to action in the context of the EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity and Health.

The environment will also come under renewed focus, with the publication of an ambitious new CIAA report on "Managing Environmental Sustainability in the Food and Drink Industry" on 26 October. The Environment Review covers the entire life-cycle of food and drink products, reaching from farming to manufacturing, packaging, transportation, distribution and consumers.  A launch event will bring together key actors from inside and outside the food chain to discuss the environmental challenges, proposed actions and possible future strategies outlined in the report.

In November, CIAA also invites you to participate in a conference on sustainable agriculture.

Bonne lecture!
Mella Frewen
CIAA Director General