The new EU Bioeconomy Strategy marks a significant step forward in accelerating bio-based innovation, circularity and resilience across Europe.
Europe’s food and drink industry – Europe’s largest manufacturing industry – is pleased to see food innovation for the vital role it plays, as one of the highest-value uses of biomass and a central pillar of the EU bioeconomy. This acknowledgement should pave the way for food innovation to become an EU lead market.
Europe’s food and drink industry already drives circularity by converting side-streams into feed, pet food, bio-based materials, fertilisers, energy and more. With the right policy framework, our contribution can go even further.
“With the right support, we can turn today’s food challenges into tomorrow’s circular solutions, from greener factories to smarter processing.” – Dirk Jacobs (Director General, FoodDrinkEurope)
As the EU begins implementing the Strategy, FoodDrinkEurope calls on policymakers to:
- Designate food innovations as an EU lead market within the Bioeconomy Strategy;
- Prioritise food security and the sustainable use of biomass;
- Boost R&I and scale-up investment in food biomanufacturing and sustainable processing;
- Enable the valorisation of unavoidable food waste and agricultural side streams;
- Support circular food factories, including anaerobic digestion, nutrient recycling and water reuse.
FoodDrinkEurope stands ready to work with EU institutions and partners to ensure the Bioeconomy Strategy delivers its full potential for people, the planet and Europe’s economy.
