Smart Food Alliance: Ten-point plan food system

Sustainable and healthy food at a fair price is within reach, this is what the Smart Food Alliance states in their 10-point plan. Smart Food Alliance: "Our members are committed to making our food system future-proof. These changes are happening at an unprecedented rate. It is now time for politicians to give further direction to this, to put a dot on the horizon, so that the frameworks for the longer term for producer, trade and consumer are clear". With this aim in mind, the Alliance has drawn up 10 key points for adequate government policy on food.

10-point plan

1. Delta Plan Food and Delta Commissioner

This plan is necessary for better coordination between the five ministries in the field of sustainable food production, healthy food, food security and earning capacity of farmers.

2. Medium-sized companies as chain directors for sustainable food chains

Medium-sized businesses are agile and the connecting link between farmer and citizen. Food policy should make it easier for these companies to play a powerful management role in the chain.

3. Secure food supply through resilient chains

Sufficient and healthy food must be guaranteed at all times. This calls for a situation in which Europe is less dependent on imports of food and animal feed that can also be produced in Europe.

4. High quality food products as standard

Encourage the highest quality and sustainable standards for food production within product groups.

5. Transition subsidy for food products

The government is more strongly encouraging entrepreneurs to invest with a transition subsidy.

6. Room for experimentation for innovation companies

New legislation should make it easier for innovative companies to develop and market new products and innovative processes.

7. Nitrogen reduction measures should stimulate sustainable food production

In the spatial environmental vision, this agricultural land should be earmarked for sustainable forms of food production that are in line with nature objectives.

8. Financial incentive for fruit and vegetables

The government should give a clear signal to citizens to eat more fruit and vegetables by setting a 0% VAT rate.

9. Guidelines for a healthy food environment

The central government should draw up guidelines that a healthy food environment should comply with in order to arrive at an integral package of measures together with municipalities.

10. A covenant for fair and inclusive prices for food

Fair trade and the internalisation of external costs such as environmental, social and health costs. The government, together with the sector, must make agreements about this.

www.smartfoodalliance.nl