1. FRUCOM Open Discussion 22 March 2019 Brussels

2. Statement on observance of competition law
All FRUCOM meetings need to be conducted in accordance with the relevant competition and antitrust laws. You are therefore reminded that you will at all times refrain from discussing any information which is confidential to your company and/or which is likely to affect the commercial strategy or activities of your company. You are in the best position to judge what is, and what is not, commercially sensitive or confidential and so responsibility lies with you in the first place. You are also reminded not to discuss topics outside the previously circulated and reviewed agenda. Failure to follow these guidelines may bring with it serious consequences for you as an individual, your companies and the trade association itself. Such consequences include heavy fines and in certain cases, under national laws, the imposition of criminal penalties and sentences. 

3. "Reflection Paper on a Sustainable Europe by 2030"
Political initiative presented by the EU Commission on 30 January 2019 
Background
Highlights for agriculture, fisheries, supply chains and trade
Scenarios and future steps

4. Background
This Paper is part of EU commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goals.
It seeks to steer the discussion on how they can be best achieved. 
the EU is a frontrunner in sustainability (the highest social and environmental standards, the Paris Climate Agreement). 
Challenges:  ecological debt, climate change, demographics, migration, inequality, economic and social convergence, pressure on public finances, rising isolationism and nationalism.

5. Key foundations for sustainability transition
moving to circular economy, correcting the imbalances in EU food system, and making sure that this transition is fair for all.
horizontal enablers: education, R&D; finance, pricing, taxation and competition; responsible business conduct, corporate social responsibility and new business models; open and rules-based trade; governance.

6. Where are we now?

7. Sustainability from farm to fork
A global food and agriculture system in line with the SDGs could create new economic value of over EUR 1.8 trillion by 2030.
EU agriculture has made real progress, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and nitrates levels in rivers by 17.7% since 1990.
Challenges: imbalances in food chain, from agriculture and fishing, to the food and drink industry, transportation, distribution, and consumption.
Citizens increasingly value organic produce, products with geographical indications, localised food production systems with lower carbon footprints.
Organic farming has grown in the EU from 3.5% to 7% of surface between 2005 to 2016.

8. SDG 14 Life below water
The Common Fisheries Policy has led to significant progress in improving the sustainability of EU fisheries, however, proper implementation remains essential.
Some examples by the Commission on what is included under SGD 14:
EU plastics strategy ▪ International ocean governance agenda ▪ EU blue growth strategy ▪ New rules for the sustainable management of external fishing fleets ▪ Proposal for the revision of the EU fisheries control system ▪ Fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing ▪ A clean planet for all – the longterm vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy by 2050 ▪ European Consensus on Development

9. Taxation, pricing, supply chains
Tax systems/pricing should reflect real costs, address social and environmental issues, trigger behavioural change.
Overall EU external transport cost is +/- EUR 1000 billion annually, 7% of GDP = input for future EU transport policies.
Globalisation of supply chains calls for promotion of high sustainability standards also in third countries. Business practices, consumption and production patterns in the EU should not contribute indirectly to human rights violations or environmental degradation elsewhere in the world.

10. Open and rules-based trade
The UN 2030 Agenda recognises key role of rules-based multilateral trading system/WTO
All new EU trade agreements include a chapter on sustainable development to promote social and environmental standards. 
The Commission emphasises that trade shall ensure a level-playing field while promoting human rights, decent work, sustainable development worldwide, high quality regulation and public services at home.

11. Three scenarios to stimulate thinking:
The outcome could be a combination from each.

12. European Parliament voted on 14 March
welcomes the initiative, regrets lack of concrete targets and  favours the first scenario
emphasises that the implementation of the SDGs should lead to a paradigm shift and become the EU’s overarching long-term economic model to succeed the current Europe 2020 strategy

13. Next steps