Starting next year, food prices across the European Union may increase due to the bloc’s green regulations, the Czech Food Chamber has warned.
Czech food producers say the sector is facing a “tsunami” of questionable green measures that will increase production costs and add to the already significant administrative burden.
“Europe already has more expensive food than the rest of the world. And now, due to senseless measures, we will have to raise prices further. Concerns about the effects of the green transformation are legitimate,” said Dana Večeřová, president of the Czech Food Chamber, in a press statement released on Thursday.
In particular, the Chamber complains about the forthcoming obligation to report on their carbon footprint or the mandatory reduction of food waste. It is also concerned about the potential impact of the EU’s Due Diligence Directive, which requires companies to actively manage their impact on human rights and the environment.
Another issue is the recently postponed EU Deforestation Law, or the new packaging waste regulation, which the Chamber believes will be difficult to comply with because it requires only reusable materials for business-to-business transactions.
“Even today, it is difficult for businesses to meet new demands, and unfortunately, the European Commission continues to propose more controversial measures,” Czech Food Chamber president complained.
“In the future, Europe may eventually meet its climate goals on its own territory. However, this will not affect global greenhouse gas emissions, and it will come at the cost of reduced production and increased imports from outside the EU,” Večeřová added.
While Czech food producers claim they are not opposed to “reasonable efforts” to improve the EU’s economy, they see the EU’s green policies as “enforced through administrative orders and prohibitions” without understanding “specific impacts on the viability and economics of food businesses.”
“Food businesses want to operate responsibly and sustainably. We urge the government to ensure that all green goals it pursues are realistic at the EU and Czech levels. Our sector must not become uncompetitive,” stressed Večeřová.
(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)
Source: euractiv.com
