During this year’s World Food Forum, the organizers decided to outline a strategic vision for Europe that will shape the development of the European Union from 2025. There were also discussions about food of animal origin and its key role to play in a healthy and balanced diet.
On February 13-14, 2024, the 7th edition of the World Food Forum was held in Brussels, entitled “2024: Time for an ambitious European agricultural agreement!” organized by Farm Europe. The aim of the event was to bring together European political leaders, key figures from European institutions, business leaders and members of civil society, according to the Federation of Branch Associations of Agricultural Producers.
This year, the organizers decided to outline a strategic vision for Europe that will shape the development of the European Union from 2025. They emphasized that this strategic vision must focus on increasing Europe’s capacity to provide sustainable solutions in food, bioeconomy and energy. At the same time, it is necessary to meet global food requirements. According to FBZPR, during the meeting it was noted that by using European expertise, we should integrate production and economic efficiency, secure food supplies, protect the environment and fight climate change.
A balanced diet also includes meat!
The event was attended by Jerzy Wierzbicki, president of the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Producers, chairman of the Beef Sector Council, who was invited to participate in a discussion panel entitled: “Food of animal origin: a key role to play in a healthy and balanced diet.”
– We strongly oppose the pressure visible in public space to remove meat from the human diet. We emphasize that a balanced diet is one that includes meat that we eat in a conscious, well-balanced way. The role of meat in a balanced diet is important, and the “Farm to Fork” policy or the “European Plan to Fight Cancer” should in no way stigmatize meat as a dangerous product. Scientists have proven that limiting the consumption of meat products below a certain level increases the risk of diseases, especially in children and pregnant women. The policy of completely giving up meat consumption is simply dangerous to people’s health, said Wierzbicki.
What’s next for the Green Deal?
During the congress debates, the issue of the future of the European Green Deal was also raised in the context of the ongoing pan-European farmers’ protests and the prospects of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union.
– Farmers’ protests did not come out of nowhere. We have long raised the alarm that the European Commission has exaggerated some of the assumptions of the Green Deal. It’s time to come down to earth, time to review this policy. But this requires extensive consultations, in-depth impact assessment analyzes and only then can solutions be proposed that will affect the entire European agriculture. Unfortunately, all of this was missing in previous years, noted Wierzbicki.
At the same time, the ambitious goals of the European Green Deal remain in contradiction with the plans to admit Ukraine to the European Union, as FBZPR emphasizes, adding that its agriculture is large-scale and industrial, unlike the European model, where small and medium-sized family farms have always been promoted.
– We are talking about agriculture that is similar to agriculture in the Mercosur zone, especially in Brazil. Huge areas, low production costs. We want to admit this country to the EU with full benefits, but we should bear in mind that for agriculture, Ukraine’s entry into the common market will be like the entry of an “elephant into a china shop”. So we have to think about how to introduce it so as not to break the porcelain. This will be a huge challenge for European agriculture and undoubtedly its turning point. In addition to the adjustment program for Ukraine, there must be a vision and strategy for changes in agriculture of the European Union. Because it is obvious that changes will be necessary, said Jerzy Wierzbicki.
During the debate, the Chairman of the Beef Sector Council also asked the participants important questions as a trigger for further discussions in the context of budget constraints:
- What is more important: the European Green Deal or Ukraine’s accession?
- Are consumers ready to cover the expenses related to the Green Deal, or will some of its assumptions have to be abandoned?
