PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 21 June 2016
Towards a better functioning food supply chain: “The EU needs a strong and competitive primary food sector”
PFP Primary Food Processors at their European Parliament Roundtable yesterday reminded decision makers and key food chain stakeholders of the importance of a competitive primary food sector.
The event was hosted by MEP Paolo De Castro who welcomed the opportunity to engage the debate on a better functioning food supply chain: “The EU needs a strong and competitive primary food sector” he said. He was supported by the Representative of the European Commission - Tassos Haniotis, Director at DG AGRI - who reaffirmed the role of PFP sectors in “safeguarding Europe’s real competitive advantage with its diverse and sophisticated food system”.
PFP President, Yves Goemans explained the need for more visibility: “EU decision makers tend to overlook the importance of the Primary food industries and their role in the EU food chain. These sectors are an invaluable link in transforming our domestic agricultural raw materials into high quality sustainable primary food for the EU food industry. With more than one million of indirect jobs employed in the farming sector, it makes them a pillar for rural development and farm income in the EU.”
A study1 by LEI Wageningen University presented at the event showed that while accounting for 8% of the production value of the EU food processing industry, PFP sectors represent 17% of its R&D investment value: PFP sectors are therefore the real innovators and R&D performers in the EU food chain.
LEI Wageningen UR Report “Primary Food Processing, cornerstone of plant-based food production and the bio-economy in Europe”
For more information please visit: www.pfp-eu.org
Correspondence for media inquiries: info@pfp-eu.org
Link to PFP press release: towards a better functioning food supply chain: "The EU needs a strong and competitive primary food sector"
1 PFP sectors directly employ more than 120,000 people, provide indirect employment to more than 1 million EU farmers (400,000 on a full time equivalent basis), process over 200 million t of EU agricultural raw materials, and generate 70 billion Euro in revenues each year
