EU food security: new guidelines to strengthen resilience

24 July 2024

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As reported by the newsroom of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission, the European Food Security Crisis preparedness and response Mechanism (EFSCM) has shared new guidelines to help protect food supply chains. They aim at ensuring food security, which is important for food independence and economic strength. These measures will be part of a report on Europe’s readiness for crises, prepared by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö.

The EU food supply chain showed its strength during the early days of COVID-19 in 2020 and the trade disruptions after Russia’s attack on Ukraine in 2022. However, this stability is not guaranteed, as various risks could threaten it.

A report by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in November 2023 identified 28 types of risks (biophysical and environmental, economic and market, socio-cultural and demographic, geopolitical and institutional, supply chain performance, information and technology) and nine main factors of vulnerabilities. Working together and being adaptable are key to addressing risks. Platforms like the EFSCM expert group, the food supply and security dashboard, and the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) have a big role in a collective response to challenges.

The EU legal framework, including the Common Fisheries Policy and the Common Agricultural Policy guidelines, remains essential for stable food availability. Strong industrial policies are also needed to boost manufacturing capacity within Europe and partner countries.