EU: CIA joins Copa-Cogeca’s call for coherence on the trade front
Brussels, 21 June 2023
The Confederation of the Food and Drink Industry of the EU (CIA) has joined Copa-Cogeca’s call for greater coherence between the EU’s trade policy and its other policies, such as the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy.
In a joint statement, CIA and Copa-Cogeca said that the EU’s trade policy should be used to promote sustainable agriculture and food systems, and to support the competitiveness of EU farmers and food businesses.
The two organisations called on the EU to:
- Ensure that trade agreements are consistent with the EU’s environmental and social standards.
- Provide support for farmers and food businesses to adapt to the challenges of globalisation.
- Work with other countries to develop a global food system that is sustainable and equitable.
CIA Director General Mella Frewen said: “The EU’s trade policy has a major impact on the food and drink industry. We need to ensure that it is used to promote sustainable agriculture and food systems, and to support the competitiveness of EU farmers and food businesses.”
Copa-Cogeca Secretary General Pekka Pesonen said: “The EU’s trade policy must be coherent with its other policies, such as the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy. We need to ensure that we are not exporting our environmental and social problems to other countries.”
The joint statement comes ahead of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting on 29-30 June. The CIA and Copa-Cogeca said that they would be closely monitoring the TTC’s discussions on trade and agriculture.
