Feeding the debateFOOD AND DRINK INDUSTRY PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Dear MEP,

Congratulations on your election to the European Parliament!

Over the past five years, MEPs demonstrated very clearly that the European Parliament is now, unequivocally, a pillar of the EU legislative framework. It has played a crucial role in driving through CAP reform, finalising the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and delivering on a host of other important dossiers. The European Parliament has a direct influence on all key legislation affecting Europe’s food and drink industry, from food safety to the Single Market, to innovation to trade. As Europe emerges from one of the worst economic crises in its history, you will play a decisive role in laying the foundations of stability and prosperity for the years to come. This is an immense responsibility considering the many challenges that still lie ahead and it will necessitate positive engagement with all stakeholders concerned.

Our industry is Europe’s largest in terms of turnover and employment, providing 4.24 million jobs directly as well as many more indirectly both up and downstream. In addition, we are the world’s largest exporter and importer of food and drink products and we process more than 70% of EU agricultural raw materials. Our industry has remained resilient throughout the crisis, but in order to continue to grow, innovate, create new jobs and play our part in guaranteeing Europe’s recovery, we need the right business environment in which to operate. For this reason, FoodDrinkEurope, representing Europe’s food and

drink industry, has produced this short document outlining the views and concerns of our industry on those matters which will fall under your competence as an MEP and we encourage you to consider it carefully.

Over the past number of years, FoodDrinkEurope has worked successfully with MEPs on a range of important initiatives including the Supply Chain Initiative and the Joint Food Wastage Declaration ‘Every Crumb Counts’, to name but two. We look forward to continued fruitful cooperation and constructive dialogue with you in the years ahead.

We remain ready and willing to engage, to listen and to offer our expertise and unique insights, and to feed into the many discussions and debates which will shape Europe’s economy and its future.

A Message from the President

Jesús Serafín PérezPresident

Mella FrewenDirector General

and the Director General

FIAA

FEVIA

FEDIL

FNLI

FDF

ANIA

FIAB

FIPA

FDII

BLL & BVE

FEDERALIMENTARE

LI

GZS

PKCR

NHO

DI

National Federations

• Austria: Fachverband der Nahrungsund Genussmittelindustrie (FIAA)

• Belgium: Fédération de l’Industrie Alimentaire/Federatie Voedingsindustrie (FEVIA)

• Croatia: Hrvatska Udruga Poslodavaca (HUP)• Czech Republic: Potravinárská komora Ceské Republiky (PKCR)• Denmark: DI Fødevarer (DI)• Estonia: Eesti Toiduainetööstuse Liit (ETL)• Finland: Elintarviketeollisuusliitto (ETL) • France: Association Nationale des Industries Alimentaires (ANIA)• Germany: Bund für Lebensmittelrecht und Lebensmittelkunde &

Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Ernährungsindustrie (BLL & BVE)

• Greece: Federation of Hellenic Food Industries (SEVT)• Hungary: Élelmiszer-feldolgozók Országos Szövetsége (ÉFOSZ)• Ireland: Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII)• Italy: Federazione Italiana dell’Industria Alimentare

(FEDERALIMENTARE)• Luxembourg: Fédération des Industries Agro-Alimentaires

Luxembourgeoises (FEDIL)• Netherlands: Federatie Nederlandse Levensmiddelen Industrie

(FNLI)• Poland: Polska Federacja Producentów Zywnosci Zwiazek

Pracodawców (PFPZ)• Portugal: Federaçâo das Indústrias Portuguesas Agro-

Alimentares (FIPA)• Romania: Federatia Patronala din Industria Alimentara

(ROMALIMENTA)• Slovakia: Potravinárska Komora Slovenska & Slovenská

Pol’nohospodárska a Potravinárska Komora (PKS & SPPK)• Slovenia: Gospodarska zbornica Slovenije (GZS)• Spain: Federación Española de Industrias de la Alimentación y

Bebidas (FIAB)• Sweden: LLivsmedelsföretagen (LI)• United Kingdom: Food and Drink Federation (FDF)

• Norway: Mat og Drikke (NHO – observer)• Turkey: Türkiye Gıda ve içecek Sanayii Dernekleri Federasyonu

(TGDF – observer)

FoodDrinkEurope in Brief

ÉFOSZ

ROMALIMENTA

SEVT

PKS & SPPK

TGDF

PFPZ

ETL

ETLEuropean Sectors • AIJN: European Fruit Juice Association• CAOBISCO: Association of Chocolate, Biscuit and

Confectionery Industries of the European Union• CEEREAL: European Breakfast Cereal Association• CEFS: European Committee of Sugar Manufacturers• CLITRAVI: Liaison Centre for the Meat Processing

Industry in the European Union• COFALEC: Confederation of EU Yeast Producers• CULINARIA EUROPE: Federation of Associations

and Enterprises of Industrial Culinary Product Producers in Europe

• ECF: European Coffee Federation• EDA: European Dairy Association• EFBW: European Federation of Bottled Waters• EHIA & ETC: European Herbal Infusions Association

& European Tea Committee• ESA: European Snacks Association• ESA: European Spice Association• EUPPA: European Potato Processors’ Association• EUROGLACES: European Ice Cream Association• FEDIAF: European Pet Food Industry Federation• FEDIMA: Federation of EU Manufacturers and

Suppliers of Ingredients to the Bakery, Confectionery and Patisserie Industries

• FEEDM: European Federation of Honey Packers & Distributors

• IMACE: International Margarine Association of the Countries of Europe

• PROFEL: European Association of Fruit and Vegetable Processors

• SNE: Specialised Nutrition Europe• SpiritsEUROPE• The Brewers of Europe• UNAFPA: Union of Organisations of Manufacturers of

Pasta Products of the EU• UNESDA: Union of European Soft Drinks

Associations

FoodDrinkEurope is the representative body for Europe’s food and drink industry. Our direct membership includes 25 national federations (including two observers), 25 EU sector associations and 17 large food and drink companies. We seek to promote the creation of an environment in which all food and drink companies, whatever their size, can meet changing consumer demands while competing for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. In addition, we work closely with our social partners to better connect the worlds of business and education, and exploit the potential of new technologies to drive up qualifications and foster innovation.

Companies

HUP

The EU food and drink industry

A pillar of the EU economy

Manufacturing in the EUTurnover

Value added

€1,048billion

€206billion

Providing jobs

4.24million people

Direct employment

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)

283,000Number of food and drink SMEs

Eurostat

Eurostat

Contributing to an extensive supply chainTurnover

Value added

Employment

€4trillion

€800billion

32million people

Leading world tradeEU market share of global exports

EU market share of global imports16%14%

Exporting worldwideExports

Imports€86.2billion

€63.2billion

Eurostat

UN Comtrade

Eurostat

For additional information, please see FoodDrinkEurope’s “Data & Trends of the European Food and Drink Industry 2013-2014” http://www.fooddrinkeurope.eu/uploads/publications_documents/Data__Trends_of_the_European_Food_and_Drink_Industry_2013-20141.pdf

Food for Thought

Our Policy Priorities for the New ParliamentAs the voice of Europe’s food and drink industry, we ask Members of the European Parliament to give careful consideration to our policy priorities.

1 For more information, please see FoodDrinkEurope’s Competitiveness Report 2013-2014: Promoting an EU Industrial Policy for Food and Drink

Feeding Europe’s EconomyWhile we are a major contributor to Europe’s economy, Europe’s food and drink industry faces real challenges to its future growth and competitiveness. For this reason, FoodDrinkEurope believes strongly in the need for both a well-functioning single market and a range of concrete actions in the form of a dedicated EU industrial policy for food and drink1. Such a policy would ensure that our industry can continue to grow, create new jobs and provide Europe’s consumers with safe, nutritious and affordable food and drink products. We urge the European Parliament to support us in this goal.

Nourishing InnovationScience and science-based regulation play a vital role in helping our industry to develop new products or improve upon existing ones, benefiting the consumer and society as a whole. We therefore encourage the European Parliament to ensure that future regulation remains rooted in sound science and to do everything possible to facilitate innovation, research and development. Innovation is critical to ensuring that our industry can help meet the enormous challenge of feeding a world population which is both ageing and growing rapidly (estimated to reach 9 billion by 2030).

Read our priorities in more detail overleaf…

Growing SustainablyThe food and drink industry has a unique relationship with the environment, on which it relies for continuous, adequate supplies of safe, high quality agricultural raw materials to make food and drink products. Achieving smart, green growth within Europe’s food manufacturing industry makes good business sense and helps not only to safeguard the Earth’s limited natural resources but also to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the industry. We therefore encourage MEPs to support an holistic approach to the sustainability of food systems.

Serving Consumers’ NeedsFoodDrinkEurope and its members have developed, supported and encouraged initiatives and commitments in the areas of reformulation, consumer information, responsible marketing and promoting healthier lifestyles. We urge the European Parliament to support a holistic approach to tackling obesity and non-communicable diseases, including the promotion of nutrition and physical activity education.

Read our priorities in more detail overleaf…

Growing SustainablyThe food and drink industry has a unique relationship with the environment, on which it relies for continuous, adequate supplies of safe, high quality agricultural raw materials to make food and drink products. Achieving smart, green growth within Europe’s food manufacturing industry makes good business sense and helps not only to safeguard the Earth’s limited natural resources but also to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the industry. We therefore encourage MEPs to support an holistic approach to the sustainability of food systems.

Serving Consumers’ NeedsFoodDrinkEurope and its members have developed, supported and encouraged initiatives and commitments in the areas of reformulation, consumer information, responsible marketing and promoting healthier lifestyles. We urge the European Parliament to support a holistic approach to tackling obesity and non-communicable diseases, including the promotion of nutrition and physical activity education.

Feeding

Europe’s Economy The Single Market

As Europe’s largest manufacturing industry, we encourage the European Parliament to vigorously defend the Single Market, the cornerstone of the European Union. The Single Market can only function effectively if:

• Barriers to the free movement of goods are removed;

• Existing rules are effectively enforced;• Smart regulation becomes the norm; and,• B2B relations are improved.

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) In order to enable food and drink SMEs reach their full potential, we ask MEPs to support and encourage measures that:

• Reduce red tape and administrative burdens;• Facilitate access to finance; and,• Promote the internationalisation of SMEs.

Trade: Market Share, Jobs & GrowthWe encourage the European Parliament to support a strong rules-based multilateral trade system, building on the work already completed at the WTO Ministerial in Bali in December 2013. In addition, we ask MEPs to support the conclusion of ambitious bilateral agreements between the EU and third countries, in particular the USA and Japan, which have the potential to increase market opportunities, in turn impacting positively on jobs and growth in the food and drink industry.

BiofuelsEurope’s food and drink industry processes 70% of European agricultural production and, as such, has an inherent interest in ensuring a competitive, productive and sustainable agricultural sector. We ask MEPs to help us in this regard.

We encourage the European Parliament to ensure that a ‘food first’ approach is taken with regard to the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive.1

1 CEFS (Comité Européen des Fabricants de Sucre) does not support the position of FoodDrinkEurope. ANIA (Association Nationale des Industries Alimentaires) did not reach a consensus on this position.

EU Industrial Policy for Food and DrinkWe ask MEPs to give careful consideration to our proposal for an EU Industrial Policy for Food and Drink which should:

• Ensure a well-functioning EU Single Market for food and drink;• Focus on skills so as to increase labour productivity; • Promote and support SMEs;• Deliver on a real European Innovation Union both by promoting

a science-based approach to new technologies and helping to bring new products to market;

• Increase and consistently facilitate trade opportunities; and• Foster sustainable production and consumption.

http://www.fooddrinkeurope.eu/uploads/publications_documents/Promoting_an_EU_industrial_policy_for_food_and_drink.pdf

Official Food and Feed Controls RegulationThis regulation aims to establish a framework for the activities of official control services and will lead to the stabilisation and strengthening of food safety standards in Europe. We ask the European Parliament to approve this regulation as soon as possible, in order to provide legal certainty and clarity for Europe’s food manufacturers.

Removing Barriers to InnovationTo continue to provide jobs and added value to the European economy, the food and drink industry needs to innovate and grow. We therefore ask MEPs to make the following a priority:

• Removing bottlenecks to innovation;• Ensuring adequate EU funding and investment in

innovation; and,• Guaranteeing a consistent regulatory framework.

Establishing a Food ‘KIC’Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC) are established under the remit of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and bring together experts from higher education, research and business. Following the adoption of the EIT’s Strategic Innovation Agenda in 2013, we urge the European Parliament to ensure that the proposed ‘Food4Future’ KIC is established as planned in 2016.

Novel FoodsFoodDrinkEurope asks the European Parliament to ensure that the scope of the proposed Novel Foods legislation is clear and that it takes into consideration a number of key elements including:

• A simplified process for the approval of novel foods for which an extended use is requested;

• The reduction of administrative burdens; and,• Those elements where consensus in a previous

draft has already been reached.

Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT)We encourage the European Parliament to ensure that the EU General Food Law Regulation, which is of fundamental importance to Europe’s food and drink companies, is examined as part of the Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT). REFIT was established by the European Commission to ensure a simple, clear, stable and predictable regulatory framework for businesses, workers and citizens. REFIT also includes the preparation of standard operating procedures for the EU Rapid Alert System, which enables Member States to exchange information regarding risks to human health.

Nourishing

Innovation

FEDERALIMENTARE

Food Sustainability We encourage the European Parliament to support a long term strategic approach to food sustainability, which encompasses the three pillars of sustainability (social, economic, and environmental). In 2012, we published our Environmental Sustainability Vision Towards 2030 demonstrating not just the progress already made by food operators in areas like sustainable sourcing, resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production but also the opportunities that the EU Green Growth Agenda presents for the future. We ask MEPs to help us deliver on the commitments outlined in our Vision.

We also ask MEPs to support the work of the European Food Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) Round Table, which is co-chaired by the Commission and food supply chain partners including FoodDrinkEurope and which aims to establish the food supply chain as a major contributor towards sustainable consumption and production in Europe.

Resource Efficiency In July 2014, the Commission presented its proposed Circular Economy Package, which aims at boosting recycling and reducing waste.

Waste ManagementTwo key legislative proposals contained in the package are the Waste Framework Directive and the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, both of which will come before the Parliament in 2014. When considering these draft measures, we urge MEPs to ensure that the Single Market is protected and to further ensure that all stakeholders are involved in waste management.

Food WastageIn June 2013, together with representatives fromacross Europe’s food supply chain, we launchedthe Joint Food Wastage Declaration, Every CrumbCounts, a FoodDrinkEurope led, multi-stakeholderinitiative. We encourage the European Parliamentto support us in our efforts to further drive forwardand promote the Declaration, which will in turnhelp to tackle the major societal problem of foodwastage.

Climate and Energy Policy We ask MEPs to drive forward discussion and debate on both the EU 2030 Framework on Climate and Energy Policy as well as an international climate framework. Europe’s food and drink manufacturersseek a long-term legal framework which would provide the industry with the necessary certainty with regard to the policy framework for future investment decisions.

Growing

Sustainably

Serving

Consumers’ Needs Diet, Nutrition and Health

We encourage the European Parliament to support the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, whose stakeholders – including FoodDrinkEurope – are making concrete commitments to contribute to improving public health from childhood to old age. Key areas of action include: product reformulation and innovation, consumer information, responsible marketing and advertising to children and physicalactivity promotion, amongst others. We ask MEPs to support a holistic, multi-sector approach to promoting balanced diets and healthier lifestyles.

Food Information to ConsumersRegulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers lays down the new labelling rules that will generally apply as of 13 December 2014.

The Regulation foresees the adoption of a number of implementing acts, delegated acts and reports on which the Parliament will have a say. We ask MEPs to take an unbiased and informed approach when considering such measures. We further

encourage MEPs to support positions that strike a balance between meaningful information to consumers, operational feasibility and avoiding disproportionate burdens on business. A smooth adoption of those measures will also ensure legal certainty and clarity to all parties involved.

Health ClaimsRegulation (EU) No. 1924/2006 on Nutrition and Health Claims Made on Foods establishes rules aimed at harmonising claims made on foods across the EU.

Discussions on the authorisation of new health claims will continue this year at European level. Given the Parliament’s key role in this process, we ask MEPs to ensure that any decision concerning the authorisation or rejection of claims, as well as the setting of the conditions of use, is based on solid scientific evidence. We also urge MEPs to help in ensuring improvements to the health claims process; a smooth process would encourage industry to invest further in R&D and would strengthen innovation in the future.

Find out more…

Interested in learning more about FoodDrinkEurope and our industry?

Visit our website www.fooddrinkeurope.eu to find detailed information on FoodDrinkEurope’s policy positions and our activities across a broad range of areas as well as up-to-date and in-depth data about Europe’s food and drink industry.

Contact us Telephone: +32 2 514 11 11 Email: eprelations@fooddrinkeurope.eu

Office Address:Avenue des Nerviens 9-31 1040 Brussels Belgium

Please make sure also to follow us on Twitter:

@FoodDrinkEU

and the Director General

FoodDrinkEurope Publications

Find out more about FoodDrinkEurope’s work and recent publications. Scan the QR code below to visit our website and download our brochures.

Avenue des Nerviens 9-31 Brussels 1040 BelgiumTel.: +32 2 514 11 11 Fax: +32 2 511 29 05Email: eprelations@fooddrinkeurope.eu

www.fooddrinkeurope.eu

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