FoodDrinkEurope has signed the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices today. This marks a significant step towards delivering more sustainable food systems in Europe.
Food and drink is the largest manufacturing sector in the EU, accounting for nearly 5 million jobs, and we take our responsibilities very seriously, aiming to show leadership in the transition towards more sustainable food.
We were therefore privileged to take the chairmanship of the Task Force developing the Code, but credit must go to all contributors for this collaborative effort.
It is important to note that the Code cannot be seen as an outcome in itself, but rather as an important collective ‘next step’ towards sustainable food systems. We will now do all we can to make the Code a success.
For example, on climate change FoodDrinkEurope will this week publish an independent study which lays out a roadmap and recommendations to decarbonise the European food and drink industry.
In addition, many of our members have made specific, measurable commitments to the Code, and more will be submitted in the coming months. You can also see a snapshot of industry sustainability case studies on our new landing page.
Some may say that the Code doesn’t go far enough in its ambitions. To them I say keep challenging us, and give constructive support to companies and consumers to join this common journey. If we want to achieve sustainability, we need all players on board – large and small, across the entire chain and beyond.
That’s why we have launched our #FoodFuture project, inviting all stakeholders to discuss the best pathways towards achieving the aspirations set out in the Code.
It is important to note that the Code is complementary to – and not in competition with – the legislative measures of the EU Farm to Fork Strategy and other initiatives of the European Green Deal. It is also in alignment with the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
We now count on the Commission and other public authorities to strengthen the business case for a good return on investment in sustainability by providing enabling conditions for companies of all sizes to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems.
