The World Bank projects a 50% increase in demand for food by 2050, with demand for meat inceasing by 85%.

Since the foundation of the EU the achievement of food indepedance has always been an important objective, which in recent years has been reiterated by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. This food independence is important at a time of increasing global demand and to provide nutritional and social stability within the region. 

Increasing Demand for Food
International agencies such as the World Bank, the United Nations’ Food & Agricultural Organisation and the Davos World Economic Forum all recognise food insecurity as a major risk to humanity.  A primary driver of this risk is increased global food demand. 

The World Bank projects a 50% increase in demand for food by 2050, with demand for meat increasing by 85%.

European Food Independence
Europe is not food independent in a range of important food products including beef, veal, poultry meat, sheep meat and goat meat. Food Independence in these products continues to decline.

Each EU member state has a varying degree of self-sufficiency in meat products.  Countries such as Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands and Belgium are self-sufficient and are significant meat exporters. However at a time when the overall EU is not food independent, Member States such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Poland and Lithuania are not self-sufficient and are highly dependent on imports. 

Food security is increasingly highlighted as a concern in developed countries.  The UK’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 2006 study on this issue concluded that the promotion of global food secutriy should be prioritised, driven by research and development.  In May 2008 the Business Forum of the UK Food Ethics Council examined the issue of food security and food independence, and questioned the prudence of the UK’s laissez-faire approach to food security.  

The issue of food independence and food security is an international issue for consideration. In Europe, France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy, proposed a global partnership for food, while UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon, has created a working group to develop a plan of action.

EU Commission negotiators in Copenhagen cannot ignore the issue of food independence in the climate change debate.  It would be negligent of the EU to agree an international climate change package which reduces Europe’s food self-sufficiency at a time of increased global food demand. 

Europe’s citizens must always have the choice to consume European food products and must have access to a guaranteed supply of high quality Irish and European food.