INTERNATIONAL
CONFEDERATION
OF EUROPEAN
BEET GROWERS
Following the anniversary of the Farm to Fork Strategy on 20th May, today several members of the Agri-Food Chain Roundtable on Plant Protection have released a co-signed open letter about the importance of a holistic assessment before making any decisions about the reduction of pesticide use, including the target of 50% reduction of the use of chemicals as set in the Farm to Fork Strategy.
Today marks one year to the day since the Farm to Fork strategy was presented in Brussels by the European Commission. However, we cannot celebrate its anniversary, as the strategy still raises too many questions in the European farming and agri-food community. A year of intense debate has only increased the number of our concerns.
On 19 April 2021, the Civil Dialogue Group on SUGAR which meets twice a year discussed the trade dimension of the Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy. Earlier this year, CIBE (International Confederation of European Beet Growers), CEFS (Association of European Sugar Manufacturers), together with EFFAT (European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions) had the opportunity to comment on the EU Commission Communication on the Trade Policy Review from 18 February 2021.
Ahead of the Agri Council meeting on 22-23 March 2021 which will discuss the state of play of the trilogue discussions between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission, on the CAP reform and in particular on the reform of the CMO Regulation, CIBE would like to express support to the position of the European Parliament on issues in relation to provisions to tackle crisis management, but also its deep concerns vis-à-vis the Council which appears to block progress in these discussions.
On 18 February 2021, the European Commission published a Communication on the new EU Trade Strategy based on openness, sustainability, and assertiveness.
CIBE (International Confederation of European Beet Growers), CEFS (Association of European Sugar Manufacturers), and EFFAT (European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions) welcomed the EU Trade Policy Review and are ready to contribute with their shared expertise in shaping the future trade policy framework for the EU sugar sector.
See how the beet sugar sector is working hard to develop sustainable alternatives to respond to the ban of some key plant protection products.
Such alternatives will most likely have to consist of a combination of techniques and approaches. To develop and successfully implement these will require time, several years and considerable financial investment.
EU Farm to Fork & EU Biodiversity Strategies