The first meeting of the SME Connect working group was held – AgriNutriCom, dedicated to agriculture, food and consumers, which is chaired by Christian Vigenin.
The main objective of the group is to establish an effective dialogue between politicians and small and medium-sized enterprises in the agri-food sector in Europe.
Vigenin, as a member of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety in the European Parliament, stressed the importance of the participation of all stakeholders in the creation of sustainable and consumer-oriented policies.
The meeting discussed important topics, such as the European Commission's vision for the future of agriculture and food, with a focus on sustainability and innovation, as well as rising food prices in Europe and their impact on consumers.
The participants in the working group pointed out that rising production costs, energy insecurity, climate challenges and global disruptions in supply chains are putting serious pressure on small and medium-sized enterprises.
The presence of multiple resellers along the chain from producer to end consumer was also cited as an additional reason for the rise in food prices. In these cases, it is often the consumer who takes the biggest hit – especially vulnerable groups, for whom access to quality food at affordable prices is becoming increasingly difficult.
That is why, as a response to the challenges, the European Parliament has launched an initiative to adopt a resolution aimed at the long-standing and emerging challenges facing the EU internal market.
Particular attention is paid to the deepening inequalities between Member States, with the countries of South-Eastern Europe being particularly affected by higher inflation, lower average wages and a higher risk of poverty.
The result of all this was the boycotts of retail chains by consumers in the countries of Southeastern Europe, provoked by sharply increased prices, to which governments fail to respond effectively.
Vigenin stressed that these differences must be brought to the European level, and also emphasized the need for targeted policies that would ease the burden on both producers and consumers, and also support sustainable local production. He also raised the question of the EU's role in strengthening food security and ensuring fair conditions throughout the chain – from farm to table.
To contact the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP: https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/.
