Unexpected Large Majority for New EU Food Strategy

The European Parliament has approved the new EU Farm to Fork food strategy with an unexpectedly large majority, with 452 votes in favor, 170 against, and 76 abstentions. This result means that the three major political groups also had large majorities supporting it, even after far-reaching expansions were made yesterday via 48 amendments.

Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski said in an initial reaction that the large majority for the F2F vision is a signal that we must improve our food system and that we are on the right track. Food Commissioner Stalle Kyriakides and several faction leaders also thanked Dutch MEP Anja Hazekamp (PvdD). As rapporteur, she had invested a lot of energy in the 48 “compromises” reached between the Environment Committee and the Agriculture Committee.

This means that the European Commission is assured of support for the 27 proposals announced last year by Timmermans under the Farm to Fork strategy. The European Commission will turn these into legislation between now and 2024. Each legislative amendment will still be voted on separately by the Member States and the European Parliament.

Hazekamp said that current EU policy encourages environmentally harmful agriculture and paves the way for the import of non-sustainable products. A sustainable food system is also crucial for the future of farmers, she noted. The European agricultural policy is designed to provide food security but has often led to overproduction, such as the well-known milk lakes or butter mountains.

In an initial official reaction to the vote, the EP “welcomes the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy and stresses the importance of producing sustainable and healthy food, including in the areas of climate, biodiversity, zero pollution, and public health.”

MEPs reiterated that everyone—from farmer to consumer—has a role to play. To ensure that farmers can earn a fair share of the profits made from sustainably produced food, the European Parliament wants the Commission to make greater efforts— including in trade agreements and competition rules—to strengthen farmers’ position in the supply chain.

Bas Eickhout, MEP for GroenLinks, said these proposals represent a hard-fought compromise between the conservative and progressive wings of the European Parliament. Now it is important that this is translated into good legislation and the right investments. “We often see: when it comes to agriculture, change suddenly becomes extra difficult.”

VVD member Jan Huitema said he voted against the binding targets of the Farm to Fork strategy. “I am certainly not against reducing pesticides and artificial fertilizers, but only on the condition that alternatives are available. A logical alternative for, for example, artificial fertilizer is animal manure. However, due to European legislation, farmers currently cannot fully use their own animal manure for their crops. Instead, they are forced to use artificial fertilizer,” he said.

Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) rejected the new food strategy. He called it irresponsible of the European Parliament to impose binding targets on the production of a natural product without a prior “impact assessment.” “The European Parliament takes too great a risk with our food production,” he warned.

Annie Schreijer-Pierik (CDA) also referenced previous calls for an “impact assessment” (complete calculation) in her response to the vote. The Commissioners had said that the F2F vision is not concrete enough yet for that. According to Schreijer-Pierik, studies have warned of significant production declines, dependence on food imports, and uncertain consequences for agricultural incomes. She therefore voted against.

Mohammed Chahim (PvdA) said: “As social democrats, we have also worked hard for improving working conditions. We believe that the social rights of workers in agriculture and horticulture must be included as sustainability criteria in the resolution. We must protect the people who daily ensure that our plates are filled.”

Peter van Dalen (Christian Union) voted in favor of the “Farm to Fork” strategy because it rightly calls for a change in our food system. “That is why I voted for the extensive European Parliament demands package, which addresses, among other things, preventing food waste, reducing pesticides, more animal welfare, and sustainable trade agreements.

There is a good chance that this system change will lead to higher prices in supermarkets. Yet, doing nothing would really cost us far more, financially as well as for our health and the climate.”