Officials and secretariat from European trade body Freshfel met with members of the European Parliament and European Commission representatives last week to inform them of pressing issues affecting the sector.

The Freshfel delegation was headed by the body’s president Kai Krasemann who told MEPs from five different committees that the fruit and vegetable regime should strive for a greater integration of the fresh produce supply chain.

The fresh produce representatives also urged European policy-makers to harmonise food safety and quality rules, in particular regarding maximum pesticide residue levels across member states.

Krasemann and his colleagues also warned the politicians that fresh produce consumption across the union is stagnating. They called for increased funds to develop promotional campaigns highlighting the health benefits for their products. “The promotion of fruits and vegetables should be regarded both by the European Commission and by national authorities as an essential element in the fight against obesity and other actual health threats, including cancer and cardio-vascular disease,” said Krasemann.

An export strategy was high on the agenda at last week’s meeting over dinner when Freshfel officials urged the EU representatives to develop a “dynamic and integrated strategy” to enable exporters to overcome setbacks such as the strength of euro against the dollar, third-country exporters backed by government-funded marketing assistance and head-on competition from emerging exporting countries. The association asked for increased reciprocity in the treatment of European exports.

Freshfel will shortly be issuing a memorandum detailing the industry’s concerns to commission president José Manuel Barroso. The organisation also plans to build on the contacts it established with the representatives for the agriculture and rural affairs, international trade, environment, public health and food safety, and budge and financial controls committees.