A rare chance for better health and social equity in EU food laws?
Posted Tue, Nov 23rd 2010, 10:48 | Comments (0)
The European Commission (EC) has published its plan for the future of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) “The CAP towards 2020 - meeting the food, natural resources and territorial challenges of the future”. EuroHealthNet is part of a consortium working on health and agriculture policies (EPHAC) that will contribute to the consultation that has begun. Before we do that we want to know what you think and if you can help.
The CAP remains the largest EU policy area in terms of spending, accounting for around 40% of the total EU budget. The CAP influences how our food is produced and distributed, rural livelihoods and access to services in rural communities. Food production and agriculture policies are important social determinants of health. Diet related chronic diseases are a major burden to individuals and societies. There are marked differences in prevalence of chronic diseases between and within Member States (MS) and regions. Chronic diseases are largely preventable, but to do so requires cohesive policy.
One of the big debates before decisions are made in 2011 will be the equity of distribution of direct payments between new and old MS and between big processors, smaller landholders and subsistence farmers. It is argued that direct payments should not purely be based on land, but on creation of jobs. All of these will have a profound effect on health equity for decades to come, so the question is: Will these reforms for CAP contribute to meeting the EU 2020 goals for healthy and inclusive growth?
The new Communication outlines big challenges for food and agriculture policy – feeding a growing world population, reduction in biodiversity and climate change and - to a lesser extent - public health needs. This can be an important step in aligning CAP with public health goals, but how can health experts offer policies and instruments that meet realistic needs and build public support for changes?
For the first time European Parliamentarians, experts and the public can directly influence these legislative decisions, not just ministers. Now the consultation has begun. The Reform of the CAP towards 2020 - Consultation document for Impact Assessment has been published. So how should health equity campaigners respond? Tell us what you think...
Please see these published documents for information:
