Janusz Wojciechowski is the person most responsible for Community agricultural policy. But many years before he assumed the position of Commissioner for Agriculture of the European Union, the Polish politician served as a judge on the Supreme Court of his country. And even further back, when the eastern part of the continent was still under Soviet rule, he was a boy helping his parents with their farm in Regnów.

The current holder of the European agricultural portfolio knows from an early age the concerns and satisfactions of life as a farmer and believes strongly in the need to support small and medium-sized farms. He is very interested in the welfare of animals and the reduction of inequalities between European territories. And by accepting the appointment from President Úrsula von der Leyen, he also took on the challenge of promoting a more sustainable agricultural sector.

Janusz Wojciechowski is not someone who just observes things from a distance: he has always known how to roll up his sleeves. For this reason, we wanted him to be the one to explain to us, in the first person, the why, the how and the when of the 'From Farm to Fork' strategy, a program that will certainly draw the main lines of this race towards the sustainability of food systems.

 

---

 

Why have you now presented the strategy 'From Farm to Fork'? What factors have encouraged you to do so amid a pandemic?

The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the importance of a robust and resilient food system that works in all circumstances and can guarantee access to a sufficient supply of affordable food for citizens. It has also made us very aware of the interrelationships between our health, ecosystems, supply chains, consumption patterns and the limits of the planet. We must do much more to protect the health of people and the planet. The current pandemic is just one example. The recurring increase in droughts, floods, wildfires and new pests is a constant reminder that our food system is under threat and needs to be more sustainable and resilient.

 

«It is clear that we must do much more to protect the health of people and the planet» Janusz Wojciechowski

 

What are your main goals in terms of farming and ranching? How will these goals be achieved?

The 'Farm to Fork' strategy aims to transform our food system as a whole. We want it to be more sustainable and resilient, with more capacity to face current challenges, such as climate change and the loss of biodiversity. In this sense, the strategy sets ambitious goals. Specifically, it proposes a 50% reduction in the use and risk of chemical pesticides, a 50% reduction in the use of more dangerous pesticides by 2030; and a reduction of nutrient losses by at least 50%, ensuring that soil fertility does not deteriorate. This target relates to a reduction in fertilizer use by at least 20% by 2030. We also aim to achieve a 50% reduction in antimicrobial sales for farm animals and aquaculture by the same date and achieve that 25% of the European Union's agricultural land is cultivated organically by 2030. In addition, the strategy includes a wide range of initiatives ranging from the production to the consumption of agri-food products. These will contribute to the achievement of the previous objectives, as well as to the global green transition established in the Green Pact of the European Union.

 

How will this strategy support farmers, ranchers and food producers?

Farmers and food producers play a crucial role in implementing the European Green Deal. This strategy aims to reward farmers and other operators in the food chain who have already made the transition to sustainable practices, facilitate the transition for others and create additional opportunities for their businesses. Citizens' expectations are evolving and driving significant changes in the food market. European food is already considered a global standard for safe, plentiful, nutritious and high-quality food. This transition will allow them to make sustainability their brand and guarantee the future of the EU food system. For all agents of the food chain, the transition towards sustainability represents the opportunity to be pioneers.

 

How will you ensure that farmers and ranchers get the financial support they need to adapt their businesses to this new era of agriculture?

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will continue to be a key instrument to support farmers in the transition towards a sustainable food system. The CAP reform proposal, which is currently being negotiated with the European Parliament and the European Council, already focuses on sustainability and closely links CAP aid to environment, climate and food safety legislation. The CAP includes fundamental tools to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal: the new eco-schemes will offer an important source of financing to promote sustainable practices, such as precision agriculture, agroecology, organic farming, the creation of landscape elements, carbon sequestration in agricultural soils and agroforestry.

The Commission has also formulated recommendations relating to the nine specific objectives of the CAP for each of the Member States and has done so before they formally present their respective strategic plan projects. The Commission will pay special attention to the achievement of the objectives of the Green Pact, as well as to those derived from the strategies 'From Farm to Fork' and 'Biodiversity for 2030'. The EU's executive arm will ask the twenty-seven to set explicit national values for the objectives set in the two strategies, taking into account their specific situation and the recommendations mentioned above.

 

«The new eco-schemes will offer an important source of funding to promote sustainable practices, such as precision agriculture, agroecology, organic farming, the creation of landscape elements, carbon sequestration in agricultural soils and agroforestry» Janusz Wojciechowski

 

And to food processors and traders, how will you encourage them to produce and sell more diversified and sustainable food?

Food processors and retailers determine food choices with their offerings. Their scale and concentration give them considerable power to ensure that food production and consumption follow the path of sustainability. Through regulatory and non-regulatory initiatives, the strategy will strive to guide the food industry towards practices that make healthy and sustainable choices the easiest for consumers. In addition, voluntary commitments will be encouraged through an EU Code of Conduct for responsible business and marketing practices.

 

How do you address the environmental footprint of agriculture and livestock?

Animal breeding is an integral part of European agriculture and the food systems of the Member States. To reduce the environmental and climate impact of animal production, the development of sustainable livestock production in the European Union will be crucial. The CAP will accompany this transformation by supporting innovative solutions and sustainable production practices. The Commission will also facilitate the market introduction of sustainable and innovative feed additives that help reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint and associated water and air pollution.

 

«To reduce the environmental and climate impact of animal production, the development of sustainable livestock production in the European Union will be crucial» Janusz Wojciechowski

 

Regarding the carbon footprint of the food system, will there be an EU food label that assesses the environmental impact of food products?

To encourage consumers to choose more sustainably produced food, the Commission is reviewing the EU's agricultural product promotion programme, to improve its contribution to sustainable production and consumption, and in accordance with the evolution of diets. Demand for sustainable food will also be fostered by developing EU sustainable food labelling and taking into account animal welfare labelling to link sustainability efforts on farms with consumer requirements.

 

We know that the food system, from production to consumption, accounts for approximately 25% of the planet's greenhouse gas emissions and that food transport accounts for approximately 7% of total emissions. If Europe wants to achieve its goal of being the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, how should it design its food system to reduce this 7% of food transport emissions? Could short food supply chains help? And if so, do you think the Common Agricultural Policy is designed to promote these types of supply chains or do you think it would need reform?

Through the CAP, the European Commission supports the development of local markets and short-supply chains and has proposed to continue doing so in the future to support rural and regional economic development and strengthen the position of farmers in the food supply chain. For example, Member States may choose to promote local markets and short supply chains as part of their rural development programme, both in the future and in the current CAP. Having said that, in terms of environmental impact, local food systems are not necessarily more sustainable: it depends a lot on the type of agriculture and the type of transport used. Thanks to their significant capacity to carry goods, cargo ships and trains can take advantage of economies of scale and be less polluting over longer distances than small trucks over short distances. In addition, to ensure food security at all times, the resilience of the food system needs to be strengthened by ensuring a diversified mix of short and long supply chains to get food to consumers.

 

In a communication from the European Committee of the Regions on the 'From Farm to Fork' strategy? (NAT-VII/005, December 2020), calls for the official recognition of cities as important agents in changing food consumption and mentions political figures that already exist in Europe, such as food plans and strategies. Will the strategy be a tool to promote food governance structures in cities? Will it help governments, businesses, communities and citizens to organize and move towards a more sustainable, healthy, resilient, self-sufficient and local food system? What resources will cities have to boost local agriculture and develop their food governance structures?

The 'From Farm to Fork' strategy recognizes that the transition towards sustainable food systems requires a collective approach that involves all public administrations. Also to city governments. For example, the Commission will determine how best to establish mandatory minimum criteria for the procurement of sustainable food. This will help cities, regions and public administrations to play their role by providing sustainable food to schools, hospitals and public institutions, and will also boost sustainable agricultural systems, such as organic farming.

In addition, urban agriculture is growing in the European Union and this type of agriculture can contribute to the sustainability of food systems. It can make better use of resources, for example by recycling water and nutrients, reducing the use of pesticides and reducing pressure on biodiversity by using less farmland. It can also preserve and create short food supply chains as well as new business opportunities. Urban agriculture can be supported by the CAP, within the framework of its rural development policy, depending on the choice of the Member States for their rural development programs.

 

«The transition towards sustainable food systems requires a collective approach that involves all public administrations. Also to city governments» Janusz Wojciechowski

 

In the same document, the Committee of the Regions underlines the importance of supporting family farms and calls for more attention to be paid to the trend of land concentration by corporate agribusinesses and the impact of the loss of lands managed by family farms. According to Eurostat data, an average of 1,000,000 hectares of agricultural land was lost in Europe between 1990 and 2015. According to the Transnational Institute, the European Union lost 33% of family farms between 2003 and 2013. Will the strategy "From Farm to Fork" be able to face these two problems? And how will he do it? Can a food system based on fewer farms in the hands of a few companies be resilient?

In the "From Farm to Fork" strategy, the European Commission focuses on all types of sustainable agriculture, from extensive to the most intensive. The Commission promotes the competitiveness of agricultural holdings by stimulating investments, especially in new technologies and more environmentally friendly practices. We believe that digital technologies can transform agriculture, helping farmers to work more precisely, efficiently and sustainably. And this applies to all types of agriculture, from large to small farms However, family farms are a key component of EU agriculture, and for this reason, the Commission prioritizes small and medium-sized farms in its proposals for the future of the CAP. To guarantee a fairer distribution of payments, a higher level of aid per hectare is proposed for small and medium farms, reducing the share of direct payments that exceed 60,000 euros per farm and limiting payments to 100,000 euros per operation, among other measures.

 

«Family farms are a key component of EU agriculture, and for this reason the Commission gives priority to small and medium-sized farms in its proposals for the future of the CAP» Janusz Wojciechowski

 

How does the strategy ensure that action is being taken against food waste?

In this area, the Commission will try to expand the action throughout the EU and mobilize the twenty-seven Member States. The fight against food loss and waste is key to achieving the EU's climate goals and is also an important element of the European circular economy strategy. In recent years, the Commission has worked a lot in this area and the actions proposed in the strategy 'From Farm to Fork' are added to the measures that have been taken to fight against this problem. As a novelty, by 2023,   the Commission will propose legally binding targets to reduce food waste throughout the EU   and will do so to progress towards the global target of halving food waste by 2030. The Commission will also consider other opportunities to integrate food loss and waste prevention as part of EU policies, in particular climate action.

 

Do you think that access to food produced in a healthy, local, sustainable and safe way is a fundamental right of all European citizens?

The 'From Farm to Fork' strategy is a new approach to how Europeans value food sustainability. It is an opportunity to improve lifestyle, health and the environment. Creating a favourable food environment that facilitates the choice of healthy and sustainable diets will benefit consumers' health and quality of life. People are paying more and more attention to environmental, health, social and ethical issues and are more concerned than ever about the value of food. In addition, Europeans want to feel closer to their food and better understand how it is produced. They want fresh, less processed and sustainably sourced food. The demand for shorter supply chains has intensified during the current pandemic.

I believe that consumers should be empowered to choose sustainable food and all actors in the food system should understand this choice as their responsibility, and also as an opportunity. For this reason, as part of the 'From Farm to Fork' strategy, the Commission will review the EU school program to improve its contribution to the consumption of sustainable food. This contribution will be greatly strengthened by educational messages about the importance of healthy nutrition, sustainable food production and the reduction of food waste.

 

—   Lola Mayenco   —