IEEP UK have contributed to a multi-partner study of national food strategies across Europe. The new policy paper coordinated by think tanks Agora Agriculture and IDDRI highlights how robust demand-side food policies can help advance societal goals, such as strengthening strategic autonomy, cutting emissions and improving public health. Such policies are, however, largely absent from national and EU food policy-making, including from the new “Vision for Agriculture and Food” by the EU Commission.

Drawing on a literature review and case studies from 11 European countries, the think tanks demonstrate how demand-side food policies can be implemented in ways that support sustainable and healthy choices. The paper provides insights into what kinds of measures have proven successful, from sustainability and health requirements, stricter marketing and advertising regulations to targeted fiscal tools, like taxes and other incentives.  Despite this, the report notes that demand-side policies remain underdeveloped on the EU level and in EU member states. It also highlights a lack of coordination across key policy areas – such as environment, health, economy and social policy – needed to implement an integrated food policy.  

The report is being launched at a webinar on 14 May: Towards national food policies in the EU that support healthy and sustainable consumption

The full report and national case studies are available from the AGORA website: Towards food policies that support healthy and sustainable consumption

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