What is the ‘Ensuring resilient and sustainable use of the EU’s natural resources’ package and what is the food dimension of this package? 

The package' aims to promote sustainable agriculture and protect our Union’s biodiversity. It should improve how we approach and deal with food production, waste management, and environmental conservation. This includes a law on soil health that will focus on preserving and improving the quality and health of soils, which of course play a vital role in food production and biodiversity conservation, and can mitigate the worst effects of climate change on Europe’s land. 

The food dimension of this package involves measures to tackle food waste comprehensively. Innovation and sustainability in our agriculture are promoted through New Genomic Techniques, and high-quality and diverse seeds and availability of seeds and other reproductive materials.  

In short, this package aims to contribute to a more sustainable and resilient food system while safeguarding the environment and the rich biodiversity on the continent.   

What are New Genomic techniques (NGTs), and are they necessary? 

New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) refer to a set of innovative biotechnological tools, developed over the last decades, that enable precise and targeted modifications in the genetic material of plants. They are different from Genetically Modified organisms (GMOs) because they don’t use foreign DNA from other products. These new techniques are used to create the same plants that could occur in nature or be created through conventional breeding but in shorter time spans and in a more efficient and targeted manner. 

NGTs offer great potential in addressing current challenges in the agri-food system. They can play a great part in dealing with the double crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss. NGTs offer a way to adapt crop varieties rapidly to changing environmental conditions, such as resistance to plant pests and tolerance to drought, thereby enhancing food security and supporting sustainable agriculture. 

For example, through the introduction of disease resistance traits, NGTs can contribute to reducing our dependency on chemical pesticides, aligning with the goals of the European Green Deal's Farm to Fork Strategy.   

The Commission is also gearing up to introduce food waste targets, what can you tell us about this?  

Nearly 59 million tonnes of food waste - that’s 131 kg per citizen on average - are generated in the EU each year. We all know that all of us can do more to cut our food waste, and while many policies and actions have been launched, we are not progressing at the scale and pace required. At EU level, the Commission pushes for the introduction of food waste targets as part of its efforts to develop a sustainable food system. These are namely to set targets for Member States to reduce food waste, by 2030, by 10% in processing and manufacturing and by 30% in retail, restaurant, food services and households. 

These targets aim to address the significant inefficiencies and environmental impacts caused by food waste. The Commission recognises that food waste is a major issue in the agri-food chain, putting unnecessary strain on limited natural resources such as land and water, and accounting for 16% of total greenhouse gas emissions from the EU food system. 

The introduction of EU-wide food waste reduction targets will have many benefits. Firstly, it will help ensure food security by saving food for human consumption. Secondly, it will assist companies and consumers in saving money, as reducing waste means utilizing resources more efficiently. Lastly, it will lower the environmental impact of food production and consumption, contributing to the objectives outlined in the European Green Deal and to attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 

Another component of the package relates to seeds and other plant reproductive material, what are the main actions the Commission is proposing? 

Indeed, the Regulation on the production and marketing of plant reproductive material also forms an important strand of the package. This Regulation will replace existing Directives and make it easier for farmers and all types of users to access different kinds of high-quality seeds. There is a need for new improved varieties (e.g., disease resistant, drought tolerant) that will contribute to a sustainable food chain, can withstand the challenges brought about by climate change and ensure that we have enough food in the future.  

The proposal also aims to promote organic farming. To achieve this, the Regulation will have rules that will facilitate the breeding and offer of organic varieties. 

Conserving and enhancing the genetic diversity of cultivated crops is another important objective of the proposal. It will introduce softer rules for conserving and facilitating the access to different types of seed for both farmers and amateur gardeners.  

A second Regulation will tackle forest reproductive material. Our forests are a natural and economic resource that needs to be preserved. The new rules will help ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place, thus contributing to climate change adaptation of forests, and ensuring their continued productivity in the future.   

The proposed Regulations on plant and forest reproductive material will also stimulate innovation by enabling the use of new production processes, biomolecular techniques, and digital tools  

All in all, this package will serve to strengthen and enhance the systems that deliver us fresh, nutritious food to all corners of our Union while safeguarding the environment.   

For more information, please visit: 
European Green Deal: sustainable use of natural resources (europa.eu)