Louke Koopmans’ Post

Like to share T20 Brasil 2024 Policy brief on Role of Think20 in enhancing institutional quality for ensuring global food security The brief also aims to guide G20 and G7 nations through Think20 in building a global governance framework for resilience in food security, ensuring food production, access, and utilization. with Dil Rahut Pritha Datta and other contributing authors from leading institutions. https://lnkd.in/dSBxANc7

WTO needs to be relevant facing climate change, population growth, increased threat of pests, diseases and antimicrobial resistance, as well as technological advancements. The main task of #WTOSPS committee is safe trade in food, animals and plants. However, the 12th Ministerial Conference in 2022 tasked the SPS Committee to investigate how to work better and how to deal with a changing world. The SPS Committee acknowledges the particular relevance of science and innovation, as well as international harmonization through standards, to sustainably increase food production and to improve the sustainability of the food system. It is necessary, even though a long and hard fight, to find the necessary new solutions to better deal with complex problems that cross different sectors as well as international borders, and at the same time ensure that WTO members adhere to the existing multilateral agreements so that new laws and regulations do not constitute unwarranted trade barriers. In addition to the linked report in the news article below, a factual summary of the work programme can be found here; https://lnkd.in/dHPFEEdD Great to work with Tang-Kai Wang Tayutic Mena Jônathas Silveira Boitshoko Ntshabele Sofia Boza Miguel Donatelli Geoff Richards Jo Grainger Cecilia Gutiérrez Christiane Wolff Isabel Calderón and many more.

In the light of Belgium's EU 🇪🇺 Presidency, early April, Belgian federal and regional agriculture ministers invited their European colleagues to 🇧🇪 to discuss food, and especially 🌱proteins, as a strategic sector for the future of Europe. At Protealis, we also believe that ensuring strategic autonomy in the production of proteins is essential. 👍 We see different measures that will need to be taken to increase the EU's 🌱 protein independence 👍 We will need different kinds of sources of 🌱 proteins as well as the promotion of these proteins 😀 👍 We will need commercially viable outlets for protein-producing sectors to ensure a secure supply and income for our farmers 🧑🌾 👍 We believe research and innovation 💡 will also play a key role in the development of the European 🇪🇺 protein strategy Do you agree that 🌱protein independence is 🗝️ to the EU's food security strategy? Read more on https://loom.ly/Iu9ieg4

#G20Brasil2024 We are pleased to share that Ms. Vishakha Srivastava (Senior Research Fellow (Legal), Centre for WTO Studies) has published a Policy Brief titled "From Food Security v. Food Safety to Sustainable Food Systems in international Trade Law and Governance" for the #T20Brasil2024 (the official engagement group of #G20). The brief is co-authored with Prof. Markus Wagner (Professor of Law, University of Wollongong) and Ashutosh K. (Research Fellow, Centre for Trade and Investment Law). The policy brief presents an analysis of how sustainable food systems (SFS) can be aligned with international trade rules, by addressing the tension between food safety and food security, along with potential pathways for the Brazilian G20 presidency to combine and streamline the efforts at achieving SFS while maintaining a high level of food safety. The policy brief recommends: ✅ Aligning international trade rules with sustainable food systems approach ✅ Balancing the need to increase the availability of sustainably harvested and produced food ensuring food security ✅ Empowering developing countries through development and financial assistance, including knowledge sharing Read the policy brief here: https://lnkd.in/g4e8s9nm #G20 #SustainableFoodSystems #FoodSecurity #WTO #DevelopingCountries

Here we go for a new #EU legislative term! The new European Commission has taken office. Time to get to work and deliver on the priorities that will boost Europe’s #competitiveness and foster sustainable growth. Our sector looks forward to collaborating constructively with the new Commissioners and receiving the necessary support to ensure: ➡️ The industry stays competitive and thrives sustainably. #OurSectorMatters to Europe as we support over 1.8 million #jobs across our value chain and maintain a strong local presence: with over 500 production facilities across Europe, we produce more than 97% of our drinks in the continent, and source over 85% of our ingredients from European #farmers. More here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d9uvjjcZ   ➡️ Proper implementation of existing #EU laws, such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (#PPWR) ➡️ Supportive policies for the entire #agrifood chain that are science-based and promote fairness across the #food supply chain to ensure there is no discrimination against any specific food, #drink or ingredient; ➡️ The Commission will collect up-to-date and reliable pan-European dietary intake data to better understand what Europeans actually consume and what interventions can be effective;   ➡️ Voluntary initiatives, such as the #EUCodeOfConduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices, are recognised as an effective tool for driving broader positive change.

📣 The European Food Forum just released their first activity #report! 📑 📊 Besides an overview of EFF MEPs and EFF members, the report also presents a complete list of #events divided by year, messages of support, and much more. Re-Imagine Europa is proud to be an EFF member and to have had an active participation during the last mandate in numerous events and workshops. Additionally, RIE and EFF co-organised multiple events, including a Global Conference on Sustainability in #Agriculture & Food Systems: Innovation, Indicators and Implementation. 🌱 As highlighted by Erika Widegren Staël von Holstein, Re-Imagine Europa’s Chief Executive, “by working together, RIE and EFF have been able to amplify their impact, driving forward initiatives that not only promote sustainable #foodsystems but also bridge divides among #stakeholders with differing viewpoints. This collaboration underscores the importance of fostering a cooperative and open-minded approach to #policymaking and #innovation in agriculture, ensuring that all voices contribute to the development of resilient and sustainable food systems in #Europe and beyond.” Looking forward to continuing and to deepening this partnership during the new EU mandate! 💪

🇬🇧🥩 British consumers could soon taste cultivated meat thanks to new funding by the UK government. The UK government has awarded £1.6 million to the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to speed up approvals for cultivated meat. This funding will create a “sandbox” to help startups test their products in a controlled setting, lower costs, and shorten approval timelines. A new Regulatory Innovation Office has also been set up to cut red tape and encourage international cooperation for novel food approvals. The sandbox will run for two years and be managed by the FSA and Food Standards Scotland to help companies ensure their products are safe while guiding them through the approval process. The FSA expects many new applications as more companies develop lab-grown meat. This move puts the UK in a strong position to lead the cultivated meat industry, which could be worth £70 billion in Europe. Industry leaders welcome the government’s efforts, seeing it as a key step toward improving food security and sustainability. With this support, the UK hopes to attract investors and grow its alternative protein sector. Learn more in the full Green Queen Media article: https://lnkd.in/eWJuy8R4 #ForwardFooding #altprotein #futurefood #culativatedmeat #policy #foodsystems

🌱The recently launched #plantourfuture campaign from the European Alliance for Plant-based Foods urges the EU to prioritise rebalancing and diversifying Europe’s food system in the newly embarked upon legislative cycle. The manifesto highlights 6 key focus areas to help deliver this: 🔬Increased funding for research and development to scale-up production and boost European competitiveness, and support the proliferation of a diverse range of plant-based products that can compete with conventional offerings on taste and price. 🏷️Develop clear labelling standards with transparent product information to help consumers make sustainable choices. 🚜Work with farmers and support them in navigating the transition to a more sustainable food system. 🏫Encourage expanded public procurement of plant-based foods. 🎓Educate consumers on the sustainability of the food system. 🏛️Clarify the political direction and policy framework through a sustainable food systems law. Check out the full manifesto on the EAPF website here:https://lnkd.in/dg8S77eT #EU #Europe #foodsystem

The Green Deal and food security in Europe: A precarious relationship? The European Green Deal, with its goal of climate neutrality by 2050, pursues ambitious goals for a sustainable future. The transformation of agriculture plays a key role in this. But critics warn that the measures enshrined in the Green Deal could endanger food security in Europe. Potential negative effects on food security: * Reduction in agricultural land: The intended limitation of the use of pesticides and fertilizers and the setting aside of agricultural land for nature reserves could lead to a reduction in yields. * Higher production costs: Stricter requirements for agriculture could increase production costs and raise food prices. * Dependence on imports: A decline in domestic production could make Europe more dependent on food imports, weakening security of supply. Pressure on governments to act: The European Commission emphasizes that food security is taken into account in the Green Deal. However, critics see pressure on governments to actively address the negative effects on food security. Possible solutions: * Promoting innovative and sustainable agricultural practices: Investments in research and development could lead to new methods that maintain productivity while reducing environmental impact. * Strengthening social protection: Measures to support low-income households could cushion the negative impact of rising food prices. * Expanding regional value chains: Promoting regional food production and processing could strengthen security of supply while supporting the local economy. The Green Deal and food security in Europe are in a complex tension. Governments have a responsibility to reconcile the goals of the Green Deal with ensuring food security. A transparent dialogue between politics, science and all actors in the food chain is necessary to develop sustainable solutions. Conclusion: The Green Deal offers the opportunity to make European agriculture more sustainable. At the same time, it is important to take the negative impacts on food security seriously and address them proactively. Only a balanced approach can ensure food security for all Europeans.

Last week I released my Report “Transforming the Food System - Opportunities for Western Australia”.  The 5 key areas recommended for government support are: 1. Whole of Government approach and partnerships,  2. Strategies, plans and policies,  3. Public investment,  4. Legislation, standards and regulations, and  5. Industry services, The Report makes a substantive recommendation that;  ‘The WA Government develop a WA Food Systems cross-government Working Group (Food Working Group) that includes alternative proteins as part of transforming food for a sustainable future’.  I will be sharing this report widely and would appreciate any support you can give in sending it out into the world. As you know, research and reports on food systems transformation generally, and developing the alternative proteins industry specifically, are being released on what feels like a weekly basis. This is the first report that looks specifically at the opportunities for the WA government to take a leadership role on the issue. I hope that this report will add value to the excellent reports coming from organisations such as Food Frontier, GFI, GFI APAC, and Cellular Ag Australia.   I will continue to advocate for sustainable food systems transformation and alternative proteins because I want to be part of making a difference for the planet, people and animals that dwell here. #foodsystemstransformation #governmentsupport #lisabaker