Catalyzing sustainable food systems amidst urgency and contestation – The role of EU law and governance

The EU food system is at a crossroads. It faces interrelated environmental, climate, health, and social challenges, which together require urgent systemic change. Since the adoption of the EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies as part of the EU Green Deal, the European Union has embarked on one of the world’s most ambitious efforts to catalyze a transition towards a sustainable food system. Guided by the goals of a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system, the EU has set up an impressive legislative agenda. The flagship initiative, the proposal for a European Framework Law for Sustainable Food Systems (the ‘FSFS’), is expected by the end of 2023 and aims to ‘set the foundations for systemic changes’ needed to accelerate the food system transition.

Yet reforms are taking place in a political climate characterized by the war in Ukraine and geopolitical instability, which has intensified calls for more competitiveness and food security. Within Europe, farmer’s protests are challenging the EU green agenda. In the Dutch 2023 regional election, the newly founded Farmer Citizen Movement (BBB) has become the largest party and their grievances are likely to shape the upcoming Dutch parliamentary election. At this crucial moment, the ACELG annual conference gathers scholars, policymakers, and civil society to discuss the role of EU law and governance in catalyzing the transition towards a sustainable food system amidst urgency and contestation.

Registration: https://www.uva.nl/en/forms/subsites/amsterdam-centre-for-european-law-and-governance/en/formulieren/acelg-annual-conference-2023.html
Additional information: https://www.uva.nl/en/shared-content/subsites/amsterdam-centre-for-european-law-and-governance/en/events/2023/11/annual-conference.html