First meeting of the High Level Forum on Food – a step towards a better-functioning food supply chain in Europe

Representatives from the food supply chain and all EU countries gathered on 15 December for the 1st meeting of the High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain.

Representatives from the food supply chain, civil society and all EU countries gathered on 15 December for the first meeting of the High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain under its new mandate.

The meeting took place under the auspices of the Commissioner for Internal Market and Industry, Elżbieta Bieńkowska, and the Agricultural Commissioner, Phil Hogan. Both Commissioners underlined the need to ensure a fair and well-functioning food supply chain in the EU Single Market.

The Forum will play an important role in this challenge. The debate on how to deal with unfair trading practices among food operators identified common ground, despite remaining differences in the positions of farmers, food processors and retailers.

The majority of EU countries and food stakeholders expressed clear views on the need to tackle the issue and take action in 2017.

On the competitiveness of the European food and drink sector, Forum members underlined the need to preserve and complete the EU Internal Market for food.

Issues of sustainability and more research & development for food were central to the discussion, as well as the impact on jobs and ensuring a skilled workforce for the sector.

The next meeting of the Forum will take place this year.