Towards a healthy, sustainable, fair and mutually supportive Common Agriculture and Food policy

Covernote of the "European Food declaration"

We are a broad range of organisations -see list in "who are we"- – who are concerned with the future of food and agriculture in Europe. As in other regions in the world, the number of people and organizations that are working towards a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable food system is growing. Many of them are actively engaged in building a viable alternative to the current food production, distribution and consumption - from the bottom up. This new system of food and agriculture is firmly grounded on equity, the universal right to food, good governance and transparency.

A wide range of renewed activities such as increasing local food production, local markets, local procurement, seed swaps and so on has been emerging and growing across Europe. In addition new movements, such as the Transition Town movement, GM-free regions and national and local debates on food policy show increasing public support for another form of food and agriculture.

Yet, grassroots activities and local movements are not enough. We believe it is time to build a broad coalition of groups at the European level to challenge the current Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and the European Commission's and our governments' avowed plans for a renewed CAP in 2013. Their vision is, to keep the global 'competitiveness' of Europe's food industry as the chief objective of Europe's CAP. The political process for the new CAP 2013 is starting now. We believe a strong message is needed, not only for EU policy makers, but for policy makers in our countries – a vision for a CAP suitable for the 21st century.

We have created a "European Food Declaration: towards a healthy, sustainable, fair and mutually supportive Common Agriculture and Food Policy". It outlines what we think the policy objectives of a CAP for the next decades should be. We invite as many organizations, groups and individuals as possible to sign this declaration and to use it as a tool to promote the discussion about what kind of food and agriculture policy we need. We also ask you to share this declaration with other grassroots, civil society, environment and food organisations that are actively engaged in building a better food system. Our aim is to collect as many signatures within our different networks before the end of February 2010. Early February, we will invite the public to sign the declaration. This declaration is the first step in our efforts to build a broad movement for change towards food sovereignty policies and practices in Europe, including the EU. We are also planning a Europe-wide forum in  2011 for people and organisations who are concerned about these issues and who would like to join forces in order to reach our common objectives together. If you are interested to be involved in the preparation of that forum or could help us to organise that forum please contact us.

European Food declaration

We, the undersigned, believe that the European Union needs to meet the urgent challenges Europe is facing regarding food and agriculture.

After more than a half-century of industrialisation of agriculture and food production, sustainable family farming and local food cultures have been substantially reduced in Europe. Today, our food system is dependent on under-priced fossil fuels, does not recognize the limitations of water and land resources, and supports unhealthy diets high in calories, fat and salt, and low in fruit, vegetables and grains. Looking ahead, rising energy costs, drastic losses in biodiversity, climate change and declining water and land resources threaten the future of food production. At the same time, a growing world population faces the potential dual burden of widespread hunger and chronic diseases due to overconsumption.

We will only be able to address these challenges successfully with a completely different approach to food and agriculture policies and practices. The European Union must recognize and support the crucial role of sustainable family farming in the food supply of the population. All people should have access to healthy, safe, and nutritious food. The ways in which we grow, distribute, prepare and eat food should celebrate Europe's cultural diversity, providing sustenance equitably and sustainably.

The present Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) is currently being debated and is due for change in 2013. After decades of the domination by transnational corporations and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in determining food and agriculture policy, it is time for people in Europe to re-appropriate agriculture and food policy: it is time for food sovereignty. We believe a new Common Food and Agriculture Policy should guarantee and protect citizens' space in the EU and candidate countries and their ability and right to define their own models of production, distribution and consumption following the principles outlined below.

The new Common Food and Agriculture Policy:

1. considers food as a universal human right, not merely a commodity.
2. gives priority to growing food and feed for Europe and changes international trade in agricultural products according to principles of equity, social justice and ecological sustainability. The CAP should not harm other countries' food and agriculture systems.
3. promotes healthy eating patterns, moving towards plant-based diets and towards a reduced consumption of meat, energy-dense and highly processed foods, and saturated fats, while respecting the regional cultural dietary habits and traditions.
4. gives priority to maintaining an agriculture all over Europe that involves numerous farmers producing food and caring for the countryside. That is not achievable without fair and secure farm prices, which should allow a fair income for farmers and agricultural workers, and fair prices for consumers.
5. ensures fair, non-discriminatory conditions for farmers and agricultural workers in Central and Eastern Europe, and promotes a fair and equitable access to land.
6. respects the local and global environment, protects the finite resources of soil and water, increases biodiversity and respects animal welfare.
7. guarantees that agriculture and food production remain free from GMOs and fosters farmers' seeds and the diversity of domestic livestock species, building on local knowledge.
8. stops promoting the use and the production of industrial agrofuels and gives priority to the reduction of transport in general.
9. ensures transparency along the food chain so that citizens know how their food is produced, where it comes from, what it contains and what is included in the price paid by consumers.
10. reduces the concentration of power in the agricultural, food processing and retail sectors and their influence on what is produced and consumed, and promotes food systems that shorten the distance between farmers and consumers.
11. encourages the production and consumption of local, seasonal, high quality products reconnecting citizens with their food and food producers.
12. devotes resources to teaching children the skills and knowledge required to produce, prepare, and enjoy healthy, nutritious food.

Europe

• European Coordination Via Campesina www.eurovia.org
• Friends of the Earth Europe www.foeeurope.org
• European Attac Network www.attac.org
• Africa Europe Faith & Justice Network www.aefjn.org
• MIJARC Europe www.mijarc.org
• Seattle to Brussels Network www.s2bnetwork.org
• Food and Water Europe www.foodandwaterwatch.org
• Greenpeace Europe Unit www.greenpeace.org
• Eurogroup for animals www.eurogroupforanimals.org
• European Public Health and Agriculture Consortium www.healthyagriculture.eu
• IFOAM EU group www.ifoam-eu.org
• European Beekeeping Coordination

International

• FIAN International
• Transnational Institute
• Action Aid International

Austria

• ÖBV-Via Campesina Austria
• Global 2000
• Südwind
• Dreikönigsaktion
• Attac Austria
• Slow Food Linz
• SOL – Menschen für Solidarität, Ökologie und Lebensstil
• Agrarbündnis
• FIAN Austria
• Gewerkschaft PRO-GE
• ARGE Schöpfungsverantwortung
• WWOOF Österreich
• ARCHE NOAH

Belgium

• FUGEA
• Movement d'Action Paysanne (MAP)
• Vredeseilanden
• vzw 't Uilekot
• Wervel
• VODO
• Netwerk Bewust Verbruiken
• Attac Vlaanderen
• Broederlijk Delen
• EVA vzw
• Friends of the Earth Vlaanderen en Brussel
• Velt
• Ecolife
• Missionarissen van Steyl (Commissie Gerechtigheid, Vrede en Heelheid van de Schepping)
• Bioforum Vlaanderen
• Attac Bruxelles-Wallonie
• Bevrijde Wereld

Bulgaria

• Agrolink

Czech Republic

• Hnuti Duha - FOE CZ

Denmark

• Frie Boender
• Attac Denmark

Finland

• Attac Finland

France

• Confédération Paysanne
• ATTAC France
• CFSI
• Peuples Solidaires en association avec ActionAid
• Bretagne Vivante - SEPNB
• Nature & Progrès
• GRAPPE (GRoupement des Associations Porteuses de Projets en Environnement)
• MINGA

Germany

• Buko Agrarkoordination (D)
• Bund für Umwelt- und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND)
• Agrarbündnis
• Bestes Bio - Fair für Alle e.V.
• Naturland
• Biofair
• Demeter
• Saatgut Aktionsnetzwerk
• Gentechnikfreies Europa e.V.

Greece

• NEAK

Hungary

• Alliance for Food Sovereignty, Hungary

Italy

• Italian Committee for Food Sovereignty (273 members)
• Associazione Michele Mancino
• Associazione Rurale Italiana
• ATTAC
• AUCI
• Centro Internazionale Crocevia
• CESTAS
• Fair
• FOCSIV - Volontari nel mondo
• Fondazione Diritti Genetici
• Mani Tese
• Movimento Lotta Fame nel Mondo
• Movimento Sviluppo e Pace
• Slow Food Italia
• Terra Nuova
• WILPF, Italy

Luxemburg

• SOS Faim Luxembourg

Netherlands

• A SEED Europe www.aseed.net
• Afrika-Europa Netwerk
• XminY Solidariteitsfonds
• Vereniging Milieudefensie
• Boerengroep Wageningen

Norway

• Norske bonde-og Smabrukarlag (Norwegian Farmers' and Smallholders' Union)

Poland

• Attac Poland

Portugal

• CNA
• Plataforma Transgénicos Fora
• MARP - Associação Das Mulheres Agricultoras e Rurais Portuguesas
• ARP - Aliança para Defesa do Mundo Rural Português
• ACOP - Associação de Consumidores de Portugal

Romania

• "Rencontres du Patrimoine Europe-Roumanie" - RPER
• "Centrul Independent pentru Dezvoltarea Resurselor de Mediu" CIDRM
• "Centrul de Informare asupra Organismelor Modificate Genetic" InfOMG
• "Eco Ruralis - in sprijinul taranilor ecologici si traditionali"
• Slow Food Turda + Slow Food Cluj Transylvania
• Asociatia ARIN
• Asociatia AGORA" - Grup de Lucru pentru Dezvoltare Durabila
• Fundatia Eco Civica
• Asociatia Mai Bine" / The Association for the Better
• Asociatia Fermierul Cozia
• Asociatia Gib Bio Grup
• Fundatia Speranta Sfantul Stefan
• Asociatia Valea Soarelui
• Asociatia Fair Trade Efectul Fluture
• Asociatia Sighisoara Durabila
• BIO COOP - Cooperativa de gospodari bio
• Asociatia Eco Assist
• Microregiunea Poganyhavas
• Asociatia Hosman Durabil
• Cooperativa Escar Prod
• Clubul Ecologic Transilvania
• WWOOF Romania
• Asociatia Prietenii Pamantului Galati
• Asociatia Zdreanta
• Asociatia Focus Eco Center
• Asociatia Re.Generation
• Centrul de Resurse pentru Initiative Etice si Solidare" CRIES
• Asociatia pentru Sustinerea Agriculturii Taranesti" ASAT
• Asociatia pentru Mediu si Turism Ulmul Cerasului
• TERRA Mileniul III
• Asociatia Turda Fest
• Asociatia Ecologica Turismverde
• Asociatia Bio Romania
• Asociatia ALMA-RO
• Reteaua de Actiune pentru Clima Romania
• Fundatia KESARION - pentru o viata romaneasca traditionala
• Asociatia Alburnus Maior - Rosia Montana

Slovakia

• CEPTA – Centre for Sustainable Alternatives

Slovenia

• Drustvo za razvoj slovenskega podezelja (Slovenian Rural Development Network)

Spain

• Sindicato de obreros del campo, Andalucía
• Sindicato Labrego Galego
• Federación Estatal de Pastores
• Attac Spain
• Plataforma Rural / Alianzas pour un mundo rural vivo
• Amigos de la Tierra España

Sweden

• Attac Sweden

Switzerland

• L'autre Syndicat
• Plateforme pour une agriculture socialement durable
• Swissaid

Turkey

• CIFTCI-SEN- Farmers' Union Confederation: "Union of Tea", "Union of Hazelnut", "Union of Olive", "Union of Grape", "Union of Tobacco", "Union of Sunflower", "Union of Grain", Union of Animal Breeders)
• TARIM OR KAM- SEN / Union of Public Employees in the Agriculture and Forestry Branch
• Initiative for Rural Development (38 organisations)
• No To GMOs Platform (75 organisations)
• KECI - Urban Initiative in solidarity with Farmers
• Ecological Farmers' Association
• IMECE Eco-village, Natural Life and Ecological Solutions Association
• Turkish Agricultural Economics Association
• Bogatepe Environmental Life Association
• Bogatepe Development Co-operative
• Kuyucuk Village Development Co-operative
• Kuyucuk Village Bird Sanctuary Protection and Tourism Development Association
• Buyukcatma Natural Food Producers' Association
• Yolboyu Village Development Co-operative
• Bogazkoy Development Co-operative
• Slow Food Adapazari Convivium,Slow Food Alacati-Cesme Convivium,Slow Food Ankara Convivium,Slow Food Fikir Sahibi Damaklar Convivium,Slow Food Gaziantep Convivium,Slow Food Igdir Convivium,Slow Food Izmir Bardacik Convivium,Slow Food Kars Convivium,Slow Food Samsun Convivium,Slow Food Tire Convivium,Slow Food Urla Convivium,Slow Food Yagmur Boregi Convivium, Slow Food Alacati-Cesme Convivium

United Kingdom

• War on Want
• UK Platform for Food Sovereignty
• Scottish Crofting Federation
• One Planet Food Scotland
• Munlochy Vigil
• World Family
• Soil Association