b'European Parliament Votesto Adopt Farm to ForkControversial strategy changes farm and seed industry operations.Sonja BegemannLAST OCTOBER,an overwhelmingeconomic assessment provided by the majority of the European ParliamentEuropean Commission at the time, saysThe Commission:voted in favor of adopting the FarmJayson Beckman, USDA EconomicsWelcomes the ambitions and goals of the Farm to Fork strategy. The move kicks off aResearch Service acting branch chief ofto Fork strategy as an important step in ensuring domino-effect on farmers, agriculturalthe international trade and developmenta sustainable, fair, healthy animal friendly, more companies and, ultimately, consumers. branch. So, we did a deep dive to seeregional, diversified and resilient food system, This strategy for farmers and agricul- how this could impact global agricultural turalist in the EU has admirable intentionsproduction and food security. which is central to achieving the goals set out in but potentially devastating conse- Their findings on the impact of thethe European Green Deal and in the Sustainable quences. While the authors intend for thedecade-long plan are sobering: Development Goals [and] encourages the strategy to reduce the impact of climateAg production, specifically in the EU,Commission to translate the strategy into concrete change, the reality is, it would likelywill decline from 7% (global adop- legislative and non-legislative action as soon as increase food insecurity, reduce farmertion) to 12% (EU-only).possible, accompanied by the proper financial income and make countries in the EU lessGlobal adoption drops worldwide competitive on a global scale. production 11%. support mechanisms for the transition.Heres a quick rundown of some of theFood supplies will tighten in the ag-facing proposed changes, specific toEU, resulting in price increases per crops or vegetable production: capita. Prices will increase the mostWhile a publication did eventually getReduce pesticide use on crops, fruitsin the EU and will also increase inreleased in the EU, it was late enough that and vegetables by 50%. other regions. much of the findings were not consideredCut nutrient losses on farmed Trade will decrease, putting morein the Parliaments decision.ground by 50%, requiring farmerspressure on the most food-insecureThe late publication of the Joint use 20% less fertilizer. and developing nations. Research Centres report on the impact ofBoost overall organic production toWith EU-only adoption, food insecu- EUs objectives has made it almost impos-25% of the total. rity (less than 2,100 calories per day)sible to fully address its findings in the Take 10% of currently farmed landwill increase by 22 million people.discussion and in the final text. Euroseeds out of production. Global adoption increases hunger bystrongly supports the clear call from the Because of global trade, the impact185 million.of Farm to Fork spans beyond just the 27 Member States and would impact people around the world. From trade barriers to the potential for greater hunger, its time to pay attention.Policy Stands on Shaky GroundAs the strategy inches toward implemen-tation, global trade and food security concerns mount.When we first saw this policy come about in May 2020, there was no56/ SEEDWORLD.COMINTERNATIONAL EDITION 2022'