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Innovation is good news and crucial for resource efficiency in the European agri-food chain

23-11-2017

Brussels, 23 November 2017: The Agri-Food Chain Coalition (AFCC) seizes the opportunity of its event - ‘Innovation is good news – opening eyes to resource efficiency in the European agri-food chain’ in Brussels to highlight the importance of innovation in the agri-food sector. Innovation helps improve food security, drives resource efficiency and encourages sustainable agriculture. 

Opening the discussion MEP Czeslaw Adam Siekierski. said  “In order to meet society’s increasing demands of balancing productivity with environmental protection, European farmers are under increasing pressure to produce the safe, healthy and affordable food for 500 million consumers in a resource efficient and climate friendly manner. While such societal expectations are fully understandable, it is incumbent upon policymakers to create an environment where new technologies and innovation are embraced. Without these elements, European farmers will not be able to meet the global challenges of feeding a growing population while safeguarding natural resources”.

It is important that each sector is provided with the opportunity to drive innovation to help contribute to a sustainable development in the future.

 AFCC Chair, Roxane Feller, said “In a world with growing pressures on resources and the environment, the European agri-food sector is committed to go for the transition to a resource-efficient and ultimately regenerative circular economy. We firmly believe that future jobs and competitiveness in the sector are dependent on our ability to do more with less. It is important that each sector is provided with the opportunity to drive innovation and help contribute to a sustainable development in the future.”

The AFCC calls on the EU institutions to ensure innovation is at the heart of EU agri-food policy making, and to provide mechanisms fostering growth, investment, and innovation in the EU agri-food sector, which will enable us to use resources more efficiently and sustainably. 

 – ENDS

  • Programme of the event can be found here

  • On Twitter: #AgriFoodEU

The Agri-Food Chain Coalition (AFCC) comprises 13 EU-level associations from agricultural in-put industries such as suppliers of machinery (CEMA), seeds (ESA), fertilizers (Fertilizers Europe), crop protection (ECPA), animal health (AnimalhealthEurope), feed (FEFAC), specialty feed ingredients (FEFANA), animal breeding (EFFAB) and biotechnology-based products (EuropaBio), the agricultural trade (COCERAL and CELCAA), EU farmers (COPA-COGECA) and European food and drink manufacturing sector (FoodDrinkEurope).    Together, these industries account for more than 30 million jobs and some

3.5% of the EU’s gross value added.

Media contact

Agri-Food Chain Coalition: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

AnimalhealtheEurope:

Myriam Alcain

Communications Manager

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