Brussels, 28 July 2022
Copa Cogeca, Primary Food Processors (PFP) and FoodDrinkEurope welcomed the European Union’s decision to recognise the agri food supply chain as a societally critical sector within the framework of the “Save Gas for a Safe Winter” initiative adopted in response to Europe’s energy crisis.
The initiative, endorsed by Member States on 26 July 2022, introduced a voluntary commitment to reduce gas demand by 15% during the winter period while ensuring that critical sectors and protected consumers continue to receive priority access to energy supplies.
The organisations stressed that uninterrupted access to gas is fundamental for maintaining food production, feed manufacturing, agricultural processing and food distribution activities throughout the European Union.
According to the joint statement, gas supply disruptions would have serious consequences for food and feed production systems, affecting the availability of agricultural commodities, food ingredients, animal feed and consumer products. Such disruptions could also increase food prices and place additional pressure on already strained supply chains.
The organisations warned that food production facilities, feed manufacturers, farms and packaging operations all depend on stable energy supplies to operate effectively. Interruptions could result in reduced manufacturing output, production delays, supply shortages and operational shutdowns across multiple sectors.
Following the adoption of the EU level agreement, Copa Cogeca, PFP and FoodDrinkEurope called on Member States to reflect this recognition within their national emergency frameworks and gas rationing plans.
The organisations specifically requested that food production facilities, feed manufacturers, agricultural processors and packaging operators be protected from energy disconnections and continue receiving priority treatment during any future supply restrictions.
At the same time, the organisations reaffirmed their commitment to improving energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption where feasible and supporting Europe’s longer term sustainability and energy transition objectives.
They emphasised that efforts to improve energy efficiency should complement, rather than compromise, the ability of the agri food sector to maintain stable food production and food security throughout periods of crisis.
PFP members process approximately 220 million tonnes of raw materials and employ more than 120,000 people across the European Union.
