FNLI: ODE blocks greening of food industry

In order to be able to produce more sustainably, food companies must make major investments in innovations and process innovations. As a result of these investments, the amount of energy required to produce them has fallen sharply for many years.

Companies are affected by the increase in the Storage of Renewable Energy (ODE) that the Dutch Senate is debating on Monday evening 9 December. The government wants to relieve citizens of the burden of their energy bills, which will place a heavier burden on industry. The proposed ODE prevents precisely where many companies give priority: innovate and invest in further reducing CO2 emissions in the Netherlands. Further CO2 reduction will only be possible with major investments.

Marian Geluk, Director of the Dutch Food Industry Federation (FNLI): "We support the Paris Agreement and the ambition of the Dutch government to achieve a 49% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030. Where we first thought 'how?' all kinds of plans have already been developed. The Dutch food industry wants to remain at the forefront, also in the field of CO2 reduction. But this will not happen by itself, far from it. This requires a stable and competitive investment climate."