A scientific report by the European Commission calls for a radical change in the European food system to ensure its sustainability

The current European food system has complex social, economic and ecological components, and needs a radical transformation in order to make them sustainable in the long term. That is one of the conclusions of the report entitled A sustainable food system for the European Union, which has just been published by SAPEA (Science Advice for Policy by European Academies) and contains scientific information for making a transition to sustainable and inclusive agrifood systems in the European Union. Marta Rivera, director of the Chair in Agroecology and Food Systems at UVic-UCC, was the only researcher in Spain to participate in drafting the document.

The document provides evidence on the gradual increase in the demand for food in different countries in the European Union, and this provides the starting point for the development of a new agrifood model. Among other ideas, it proposes "increasing productivity in a sustainable way and changing the linear mass consumption model to a more circular economy, although this entails a change in citizens' habits, norms and routines," says Marta Rivera. The experts point out that "these changes to entrenched behaviours must take place collectively and therefore aligned governance is needed at the local level, but also nationally and internationally."

The food system and the environment

As for the environmental impact of food systems, the report says that they also make a significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Changes in the food system could contribute to reducing these gases, in a measure which Rivera points out could be achieved "by reducing waste, but also by directing it back into the supply chain."

According to the experts, the scientific evidence shows that taxation is one of the most effective ways to change citizens' behaviour. Product accreditation and labelling can also have a positive impact. On the other hand, they conclude that a reform of European agriculture and fisheries policies would provide great opportunities for developing resilience and sustainability.

Finally, the SAPEA report warns that there is still not enough evidence to determine exactly what impact these measures would have in practice, which is why they must be carefully assessed before they can be applied.

About SAPEA

Science Advice for Policy by European Academies or SAPEA is one of the European Commission's scientific advisory mechanisms, and brings together the experience of academics from all over the continent in a wide range of knowledge areas. The body offers independent expert advice through various scientific advisers in order to provide a scientific basis for the decisions and guidelines implemented by political leaders.