488 farm-to-fork commitments so far…and still counting

Today two years ago the European Commission formally launched the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices.

We – Europe’s farmers, food processors, retailers, wholesalers, food service operators and traders – are proud of the part we played in building the Code, in the midst of the pandemic, working with the Commission, NGOs, consumer groups, trade unions and others on a truly collaborative project for more sustainable food systems.   

Today we can count 488 voluntary, measurable commitments from the Code’s 134 signatories.

These include:

• 93 commitments to a climate neutral food chain
• 92 commitments to a circular and resource-efficient food chain
• 83 commitments to healthy, balanced and sustainable diets for all consumers

We’re proud of the progress made so far and ambitious to continue to bring in more signatories and build more commitments over the coming years.

Of course, the Code cannot deliver sustainable and resilient food systems on its own. To that end, we – the businesses that grow, make, sell and deliver great food in Europe – have clear ideas about how to accelerate the journey to sustainable and resilient food systems.

For example, we need to stimulate more public and private investment, we need support for innovations and infrastructure, and we need a coherent regulatory environment that helps the agri-food chain to survive and thrive while on their sustainability journey. These enablers will feed more commitments to the Code, also from smaller companies.

So, in the collaborative spirit of the Code, let’s continue the dialogue with all stakeholders. Working together, the ambitious targets set out in the Code will come within our grasp!

Pekka Pesonen, Copa-Cogeca Secretary General

Christel Delberghe, EuroCommerce Director General

Todor Ivanov, European Community of Consumer Cooperatives Secretary General 

Karsten Maier, European Livestock and Meats Trade Union Secretary General

Dirk Jacobs, FoodDrinkEurope Director General

Else Groen, Independent Retail Europe Director General