Freshfel Europe, the European Fresh Produce Association, has brought the issue of climate change further up the industry agenda with the establishment of a dedicated workshop to review various aspects of the environmental debate and its implications for the fresh produce sector.
According to the organisation, fresh produce can be part of the solution in tackling climate change, but the debate over how that involvement develops should remain objective in order to avoid an emotional standpoint with simplistic messages.
Through the dedicated workshop Freshfel aims to contribute to the debate on climate change and environmental sustainability and to make recommendations on the way forward for the European fruit and vegetable business.
A targeted 80 per cent reduction target in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will imply a change in behaviour that will touch the whole sector and all of its stakeholders, the group said, praising the trade for being proactive in developing sustainable agricultural practices and continued supply chain improvements to cope with increasingly tough demands from consumers.
The fresh produce sector has apparently seen the highest uptake of organic and integrated farming systems, as well as moves to address emissions through the establishment of a carbon footprint system and carbon offsetting schemes.
Freshfel is now assisting its members to help them understand the various implications of various published policy documents relating to the subject and is coordinating research efforts.
Frederic Rosseneu, Freshfel’s food quality advisor, stressed the need for an integrated policy approach to food supply, based on life-cycle assessments and the consideration of wider social and economic implications.
'Freshfel is wary of a dogmatic debate resulting from simplistic messages such as buying local, seasonal and organic,' he stated. 'Indeed today’s supply is already largely local and/or seasonal, making it more a perception issue that diverts the attention away from real solutions.'
Ultimately, the climate change debate should not be taken as a tool for protectionism or favour a particular growing method, something which will always be detrimental to the category as a whole and reduce unnecessarily the choice of consumers, Mr Rosseneu said.
Joint initiative
Acknowledging the complexity of the debate, EU food chain partners including Freshfel, have set up a joint initiative, the Food Sustainable Consumption & Production Roundtable, in order to collectively address the challenges regarding assessment methodologies and communication tools, while also exchanging best practices.
'A European or even an international approach is a must to avoid the proliferation of solutions and schemes which will ultimately add confusion and cost to the chain,' explained Mr Rosseneu. 'Public authorities should show leadership for a common solution with an integrated policy approach rather than focus on simplistic messages and certain food segments.'
Freshfel members reportedly consider environmental labels not to be the best way forward for the fruit and vegetable category, given the complexity of the supply chain and its associated costs.
Carbon and environmental footprinting tools, however, are expected to help the sector to identify problem areas and solutions and to assist clients and retailers to meet their corporate social responsibility goals.
Mr Rosseneu added: 'In all of these discussions on climate change and environmental sustainability, the health and nutritional aspects should not be overlooked. As the record of fresh produce on carbon footprint is excellent compared to other food categories, public authorities should join forces with stakeholders to stimulate a change of attitudes and motivate consumers to move their habits towards fresh fruit and vegetables.'
Philippe Binard, general delegate of Freshfel, stated: “Our product could indeed be not only an essential contribution for improving the health of consumers but also moving towards a better environment, which will help to address the climate change challenge. Fresh produce is definitely part of the solution.”
