Politicians and agri-food industry stakeholders have increasingly raised concerns about global food security and indeed affordability for European consumers, arising in part from the war in Ukraine and the inflation seen in farm input prices starting before the war.

There have been renewed calls for new impact assessments of the Farm to Fork strategy in light of the current market dynamics.

However, it seems likely that rather than undermining the EU’s future strategy, the current environment has emboldened EU institutions on the need for whole-food systems change.

Ultimately, the short-term conditions which are putting pressure on the system at present do not appear sufficient to deter policy makers.

The European Commission’s communication on food security in the EU seen in January took a comprehensive look at the supply and demand side drivers of food security.

While acknowledging the short-term impact that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was having on food production and availability, it confirmed that pressures on natural resources, the environment and nature will limit production in the long term if not adequately addressed.

Failure to act risks future viability

A further leaked European Commission document on the transition to a sustainable food system in the EU is reported this week.

Reports indicate that, again, short-term concerns about food security are acknowledged, but the need for fundamental change on the basis of climate change, nature loss, health and diets and affordability of healthy diets is emphasised.

It also again reiterates that failure to act risks the future viability of the EU food system.

Increased pressure from civil society

While farming and agri-industry stakeholders may lobby strongly to review the Farm to Fork strategy, civil society stakeholders and environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are urging the European Commission to accelerate the food system transition.

In a letter to the European Commission last autumn, they urged the Commission to bring forward in 2023 the legal framework for sustainable food system, which was announced in the Farm to Fork strategy.

This was subsequently included in the Commission's work programme for this year and will be another key step in driving change across the food and farming sector.

Farmers are already getting acquainted with the range of policy and legal proposals that aim to change the impact of farming on climate and nature.

However, proposals aimed at changing consumer demand to more “sustainable” diets are likely to be voiced in the months ahead.

While short-term concerns about food security are very real, it would be unwise to assume that it is sufficient to change the direction of EU food and farm policy. In fact, the opposite appears to be the case.

The current environment only reinforces concerns about the fragility of the food system and the need for fundamental change that results in environmental sustainability and resilience to climate and environmental risks over the long term.