The backlash and subsequent scaling back of environmental policies affecting European agriculture offers a lesson for governments and political parties around the world, says a policy analyst with a European consumer advocacy group.
The European Union’s Farm to Fork strategy was introduced about five years ago, and included steep restrictions on pesticide and fertilizer use, reduction in overall land use, and requirements for increased organic production. It has since come under immense pressure due to concerns about rising food prices and hurting farmers’ livelihoods, as evidenced by widespread farmer protests in many EU countries over the past few years.
“We’re really now at a point where all the political parties pretend they’re farmer parties… I’m skeptical still, but we’re going in a better direction in a sense that we’ve realized our mistakes,” says Bill Wirtz, senior policy analyst of Consumer Choice Center, discussing what can be learned from the EU’s policy approach in this interview with RealAgriculture’s Amber Bell at the Crossroads Crop Conference in Edmonton, Alta.
One clear lesson for governments, Wirtz says, is to consult farmers before pushing policies through.
He says one potential benefit may be that Europeans are now more aware and interested in the food system. When it comes to Canadian policies, he says that while he doesn’t want to prescribe anything, it’s sometimes necessary to take action to create visibility.
Listen in to the full interview below.
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