Luxembourg - agrifish council, discussion of farm to fork strategy

MIPAAF, Bellanova: “transparent nutritional information and training are key elements to encourage the adoption of balanced diets. No to a classification of food products as good or bad. Complete transparency is an opportunity for all European citizens and farmers. From the label of origin, no risk of market distortions "

Farm to fork, an extremely important and complex dossier that will contribute to the future development of the agri-food sector, not only in Europe; difficulties in obtaining a summary position on particularly sensitive issues for the Member States. These are the premises with which Minister Bellanova's contribution to the resumption of the Afrifish Council underway in Luxembourg, called to conclusions on the From the Field to the Table Strategy, began significantly.

"I very much appreciated", continued Minister Teresa Bellanova, "the efforts aimed at considering the objective starting situations of each Member State, the national circumstances, the progress already achieved, the importance of an objective cost / benefit assessment and the effects on the competitiveness of the European agro-food sector ".

And again: “On nutritional labeling I reiterate the importance of correct and transparent information to the consumer and his training, fundamental elements to be taken into consideration in order to encourage a balanced diet. Front-pack labeling can have its usefulness but cannot be taken as a reference as a privileged "tool" or to classify food products as good or harmful to health ", said Minister Teresa Bellanova.

For this reason, he confirmed, “It is important for Europe to move in this direction. The right way is a common, evidence-based, non-discriminatory scheme. As for the origin labeling of raw materials, Italy has always sided in favor of complete transparency of information for consumers and fairness towards producers, considering it an opportunity for all European citizens and farmers. The fear of a distortion of the market is denied by the facts: the productions that for decades have used mandatory labeling, such as beef, fruit and vegetables, olive oil, have never caused distortions or discrimination between producers from different countries members. I therefore welcome the Presidency's proposal on this point, pointing out however that the planned impact studies must in no way become a pretext to block a new origin labeling scheme ”, concluded the Minister.

Luxembourg - agrifish council, discussion of farm to fork strategy

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