With 401 votes in favour, Ursula von der Leyen has just been re-elected as President of the European Commission.
The European Vegetarian Union ( EVU) has sent her a congratulations letter calling for the uphold of the Green Deal and Farm2Fork Strategy. The latter was absent from her political guidelines for the mandate, presented this morning.
Subject: Congratulations on your reelection and a renewed commitment to the Green Deal.
Dear President von der Leyen,
On behalf of the European Vegetarian Union (EVU), I would like to extend our warm congratulations on your reelection as President of the European Commission. Your leadership and commitment to a sustainable future, stated at the start of your last mandate, was a source of inspiration and hope for us and many across Europe.
As you embark on this new term, we truly hope that your stance set forth in the European Green Deal, and in particular the Farm to Fork Strategy, will once again be part of your vision for the future. Continued support for the Sustainable Food Systems Framework Law which plays a pivotal role in implementing a forward-looking sustainable agenda would be particularly welcomed. This comprehensive strategy is vital for creating a fair, healthy, resilient, safe and environmentally-friendly food system in Europe. Moreover, upholding and advancing these policies will be crucial for addressing climate change, protecting biodiversity, advancing animal welfare, and ensuring the well-being of current and future generations.
The EVU is dedicated to the promotion of increased consumption of plant-based foods and of a transition to diets that are both more sustainable and healthier – a shift that can play a significant role in reducing our environmental impact, improving the health of our citizens and strengthening food security. We are therefore saddened that your Political Guidelines for this mandate do not mention the Farm2Fork strategy. However, we welcome the proposed broader vision for agriculture that also includes food and expect it reflects the scientific consensus around the need for dietary shifts. The highlighted need to increase investment in innovation as well as improve public procurement standards also go hand in hand with a shift towards more plant-based diets.
Our food systems are increasingly fragile, and boosting plant-based options can lead to greater food security and resilience. For these reasons, we believe the European Union should follow the example of Member-States such as Denmark and Germany and increase support for the production and consumption of more plant-based foods. This goes hand in hand with transforming and improving the way the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) works: there is an urgent need to focus the CAP towards sustainable production methods, while also ensuring farmers who move away from unsustainable farming are properly supported and encouraged through a just transition mechanism.
We stand ready to support your efforts by providing feedback, sharing data, and collaborating on initiatives that align with the goals of the Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy. Our extensive network of 46 members across Europe is prepared to contribute to the ongoing dialogue and implementation of these vital policies.
We have published a set of realistic, science-based policy recommendations and actionable steps in our Plant-Based Manifesto, supported by a range of Members of the European Parliament, scientists and farmers, that can be useful to guide the Commission’s policymaking.
We look forward to continued cooperation and are eager to assist in any way possible to ensure the success of your environmental agenda.
Felix Hnat,
President of the European Vegetarian Union
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Download the letter on the link below.
EVU letter – Congratulations on your reelection and a renewed commitment to the Green Deal
