To build a sustainable European food system

16.12.2014

Question for written answer E-010813-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Massimo Paolucci (S&D)

It is estimated by the Commission that 180 kg of food per person is wasted in the European Union, a figure expected to rise by 40% by 2020. The increase in the world population, combined with the growing demand for food and water, will place unsustainable pressure on the global food system. The imbalance between the vast quantity of food waste generated in the developed countries and food shortages affecting billions of people can only be tackled from a global, or at least European, perspective.

However, publication of the communication on the building of a sustainable European food system, scheduled for late 2013 or early 2014, has been postponed on several occasions by the Commission.

A letter dated 31 October 2014 from ex-President Barroso and Commissioners Borg and Cioloş asserted that, according to the principle of subsidiarity, a European initiative was not necessary in this regard. However, at the hearing on 30 September before the Committee for the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, Commissioner Andruikaitis (since 1 November Commissioner-Designate for Health and Food Safety) said he could see no reason not to publish the communication.

Can the Commission tell us whether it will go ahead with publication of the communication?

Does the Commission intend to implement legislation to construct a sustainable European food system?