Introduction
The way we produce, consume, and dispose of food has profound implications for our planet, our health, and our economy. Recognizing the need for a fundamental shift, the European Union introduced the Farm to Fork Strategy in 2020, a cornerstone of the European Green Deal. This ambitious strategy aims to create a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system across Europe.
For food businesses, from producers and processors to retailers and restaurants, understanding the F2F is crucial for long-term success and compliance. This article delves into the core of Farm to Fork, exploring its goals, achievements, challenges, and prospects.
Understanding the Farm to Fork Strategy
As a key part of the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork Strategy aims to make the EU food system a global model of sustainability by 2030. This comprehensive approach tackles every stage of the food chain, striving for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food for all while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring food security.
Key drivers behind the strategy include:
- Environmental Protection: Addressing climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
- Public Health: Promoting healthier diets and tackling diet-related diseases.
- Economic and Social Equity: Building a more resilient food system that is fair to farmers and addresses food insecurity.
- Resilience: Strengthening food systems against shocks, as highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Innovation: Fostering growth in the sustainable food sector.
- Global Leadership: Aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and inspiring a global shift towards sustainable food and supporting other countries in the transition.
-> The Farm to Fork Strategy seeks to establish EU food as a global standard for sustainability, creating opportunities while addressing pressing environmental and social challenges and leading the way towards a global transition.
Why Should Food Businesses Care About Farm to Fork?
The F2F Strategy will directly impact your operations, supply chains, and bottom line. Here’s a quick overview of why it matters:
- New Regulations: Expect new and revised rules covering pesticide use, animal welfare, labelling, and waste – stay ahead to avoid penalties.
- Changing Consumer Demands: Meet the growing demand for sustainable, healthy, and ethical food – or risk falling behind.
- Supply Chain Shifts: Be prepared to re-evaluate sourcing due to the emphasis on regionalization and sustainability.
- Innovation & Opportunity: Embrace sustainable practices and technology to gain a competitive edge.
- Funding: Explore EU funding and support for your transition to sustainable practices.
Farm to Fork: A Legislative Overview of Progress and Setbacks
The F2F strategy, a key component of the European Green Deal, has triggered a wave of legislative and non-legislative initiatives aimed at creating a more sustainable EU food system. While some initiatives have been successfully adopted, others have faced significant hurdles or have been abandoned altogether. This chapter provides a clearer overview of the status of key Farm to Fork-related legislation and initiatives, as of December 2024.
Farm to Fork Adopted Legislation and Initiatives
- Directive on Corporate Sustainability Reporting (Dir. EU 2022/2464): Requires large companies and those listed on the stock market to disclose information on their social and environmental risks and impacts.
- Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence: This directive will oblige companies to conduct due diligence to identify, prevent, and mitigate adverse impacts of their activities on human rights and the environment.
- EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) (Reg. EU 2023/1115): Aims to ensure that products sold in the EU are “deforestation-free.”
- Regulation on Recycled Plastic Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Foods: Sets out rules to ensure the safety of recycled plastics used in food packaging.
- New Rules on Biopesticides: Facilitate the approval of microorganisms for use in plant protection products.
- Marketing Standards: Revised marketing standards have been published for fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey/fruit juices and jams and hops.
- The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): Entered into force in 2023, it includes instruments such as eco-schemes that provide funding for farmers who adopt environmentally friendly practices.
Farm to Fork Proposals Under Development
- Proposal for a Green Claims Directive: Under discussion in the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Aims to create a common methodology for substantiating environmental claims made by companies.
- Revision of Animal Welfare Legislation: A proposal on the protection of animals during transport was published in December 2023 and will be reviewed by the European Parliament.
- Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste: Expected in the second half of 2024. This regulation will introduce stricter requirements for packaging sustainability, including recyclability and recycled content.
- Proposal on New Genomic Techniques: Discussions ongoing in the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. Aims to create a new framework for regulating plants/products derived from new genomic techniques (NGTs).
- Policy framework for biobased plastics and biodegradable or combustible plastics: Communication published November 2022.
Farm to Fork: Delayed or Abandoned Initiatives
- Sustainable Food Systems Framework Legislation
- Revision of the Feed Additives Regulation
- Origin Indication Labelling
- Nutrient Profiles and Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling
- Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR)
Full timeline of actions can be found here:
This article provides an overview of key Farm to Fork initiatives but does not encompass every action under this vast and evolving strategy. The legislative landscape is constantly changing, with new proposals, revisions, and non-legislative actions regularly emerging.
For the most up-to-date information, consult:
- European Commission’s Farm to Fork Website: Timeline of Farm to Fork Actions
-> Soon a summary will be available on iMIS Food Compliance Portal
Reasons for Delays and Abandonment of Farm to Fork Actions
The Farm to Fork Strategy’s implementation has been hampered by significant challenges. Strong political opposition from agricultural groups and certain Member States, concerned about economic impacts, has been a key factor. Additionally, the complexity of the food system, the changing political landscape ahead of the 2024 EU elections, and criticism over insufficient impact assessments have also played a role.
Furthermore, as Schebesta and Candel (2020) highlight in Nature Food, ambiguities in the strategy’s goals, potential inter-departmental conflicts within the Commission, and difficulties in coordinating with Member States have added to the obstacles.
The New Commission and the Road Ahead
With the new European Commission taking office in late 2024, the Farm to Fork Strategy’s future direction will be shaped. Sustainability will remain a priority, but the focus will shift to implementing existing legislation and addressing the challenges that have hindered progress. Effective stakeholder engagement will be crucial for successful implementation.
iMIS Food: Streamlining Food Safety, Sustainability, and Compliance
In today’s dynamic food industry, iMIS Food offers a comprehensive digital solution for managing food safety, promoting sustainability, and ensuring regulatory compliance. While the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy highlights a shift towards a more sustainable food system, IMIS Food provides the tools to navigate this and other evolving industry demands.
How iMIS Food Supports You:
- Enhances Food Safety: iMIS Food provides robust traceability and data management, enabling quick responses to food safety incidents and supporting compliance with evolving regulations.
- Promotes Sustainability: The platform facilitates informed sourcing decisions, helping companies align with sustainability goals.
- Facilitates Regulatory Compliance: iMIS Food’s future database will offer a centralized, up-to-date resource for EU food legislation, including those stemming from initiatives like Farm to Fork.
- Optimizes Data Management: iMIS Food streamlines data collection, analysis, and reporting, improving efficiency and transparency across the supply chain.
Coming Soon: iMIS Food Compliance Database
Navigating the complexities of EU food legislation, especially with the ongoing implementation of the Farm to Fork Strategy, can be a daunting task. The upcoming iMIS Food Compliance database is designed to be a powerful digital solution, providing timely updates and expert analysis to help businesses stay ahead of the curve.
While not solely focused on Farm to Fork, iMIS Food’s functionalities directly support its key objectives:
- Data-driven insights contribute to a more sustainable and efficient food system.
- Traceability features enhance transparency and accountability, aligning with the strategy’s emphasis on reducing environmental footprints and promoting responsible practices.
- Legislative updates help companies adapt to new regulations stemming from Farm to Fork initiatives.
Conclusion: Towards a Sustainable Food Future
The Farm to Fork Strategy represents a fundamental shift in the European food landscape. While the path has been bumpy, with significant regulatory changes withdrawn and others facing uncertainty, the overall direction is clear: sustainability is no longer optional for food businesses; it’s a core requirement.
Companies that proactively adapt, embracing innovation, strengthening their supply chains, and communicating transparently with consumers, will be best positioned to thrive. The F2F is not just a set of rules; it’s a catalyst for a new era of food production and consumption. The key takeaway for businesses is this: prepare, adapt, and innovate, or risk being left behind. The future of food in Europe is being written now, and proactive engagement is essential.
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Sources
- European Commission.Farm to fork strategy. (n.d.).
- European Commission. (n.d.). Farm to fork strategy. Retrieved June 24, 2024,
- European Commission. (2020). Farm to fork strategy: Action plan.
- European Commission. (n.d.). Overview – EU Farm to Fork and Green Deal initiatives. AGRINFO. https://agrinfo.eu/book-of-reports/overview-eu-farm-to-fork-and-green-deal-initiatives/
- Schebesta, H., & Candel, J. J. L. (2020). Game-changing potential of the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy. Nature Food, 1(10), 586–588. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-020-00166-9
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