October 2020
Primary Food Processors (PFP) welcomed the European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy and expressed support for its objective of creating more sustainable food systems across Europe. At the same time, the organisation stressed that implementation must remain science based, economically viable and capable of preserving food security, food safety and competitiveness throughout the agri food chain.
PFP noted that the COVID 19 pandemic highlighted the strategic importance of resilient food supply chains, stable agricultural production and secure access to food across the European Union. According to the organisation, these principles should remain central to all future sustainability initiatives.
PFP represents six major primary food processing sectors that transform agricultural raw materials into food, feed and non food ingredients used throughout European value chains. Together, these industries process approximately 220 million tonnes of raw materials annually, employ more than 120,000 people directly and support around one million indirect jobs.
The organisation considers primary food processors key contributors to Europe’s sustainability objectives and believes that the sector can play an important role in advancing circular economy principles, resource efficiency and bio based innovation.
The association identified several principles that should guide implementation of the Farm to Fork Strategy. These include maintaining high food safety standards, protecting food security, ensuring science based decision making and preserving the economic sustainability of farmers, processors and other supply chain actors.
PFP also outlined a number of policy priorities. The organisation supports a Common Agricultural Policy that strengthens farmer incomes while contributing to climate objectives and Single Market stability. It also argues that pesticide reduction targets should progress at a realistic pace and only where effective alternatives are available.
According to PFP, Integrated Pest Management measures should be accompanied by appropriate transition periods to avoid disruptions to agricultural production, while organic farming targets should remain market driven and economically achievable.
The organisation strongly supports the development of New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), arguing that these technologies can improve crop resilience, reduce dependence on pesticides, enhance food quality and help agriculture adapt to climate change. PFP therefore calls for a modern regulatory framework that reflects current scientific knowledge and innovation opportunities.
PFP also supports harmonised nutrition labelling at EU level provided that such systems are science based, easy for consumers to understand and do not create confusion. At the same time, the organisation opposes mandatory country of origin labelling requirements for primary processed ingredients, arguing that quality is determined by production expertise and processing know how rather than geographic origin alone.
On food waste, PFP emphasises that non edible materials and materials never intended for human consumption should not be classified as food waste. The organisation argues that primary food processors maximise the use of raw materials through food, feed and industrial applications, resulting in highly efficient resource utilisation.
PFP further stressed that all future Farm to Fork initiatives should be supported by comprehensive impact assessments covering food safety, food security, economic sustainability, operational feasibility and potential trade implications.
The organisation concluded that the Farm to Fork Strategy can only achieve its objectives if innovation, scientific evidence, competitiveness, food security and practical implementation frameworks remain at the centre of policymaking.
PFP members process approximately 220 million tonnes of raw materials annually, employ more than 120,000 people across the European Union and support around one million indirect jobs throughout associated value chains.
