Biodiversity Policy Engagement Analysis
Biodiversity Lobbying Overview: FoodDrinkEurope has positive top-line messaging on biodiversity loss and a mix of positive and negative engagement on policies relating to land use change and pollution.
Top-Line Messaging on Biodiversity Loss: FoodDrinkEurope recognizes some of the science of biodiversity loss and states broad support for action on biodiversity loss on its website, accessed in July 2024. In a 2020 position paper, FoodDrinkEurope supported a post-2020 global biodiversity framework. In its 2023 Annual Report, FoodDrinkEurope stated broad support for the need for government policy on biodiversity loss. However, in other cases, FoodDrinkEurope has qualified this support by stating policy should not affect competitiveness, including on its website, accessed in April 2023.
Engagement with Biodiversity-Related Regulations: FoodDrinkEurope has engaged on policies relevant to land use change and pollution.
FoodDrinkEurope has mixed positions on policies related to land use change. On its website, accessed in July 2024, FoodDrinkEurope states support for strengthening ”policy for sustainable land-use practices”. FoodDrinkEurope has broadly supported the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), with minor exceptions around the policy’s implementation, for example in a joint letter in May 2024. In a February 2022 position paper, FoodDrinkEurope called for a “gradual approach” to implementation of the policy.
FoodDrinkEurope appears to oppose proposals by the European Commission to align the agricultural promotion policy with sustainable production and consumption, signing a joint letter to Agricultural Permanent Representatives to the European Union in October 2022 calling on them to vote against the Commission’s proposal. FoodDrinkEurope appeared to reiterate this position in a meeting with DG AGRI in May 2022, seen meeting minutes obtained via FOI.
FoodDrinkEurope has generally advocated to weaken policies intended to reduce biodiversity loss due to pollution. FoodDrinkEurope supported the EU’s Packagaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) with major exceptions, including advocating for several exemptions in a 2024 joint statement and against the EU Parliament proposition to allow Member States to set more ambitious targets in a 2023 joint statement. In a 2023 consultation response on the EU waste framework, FoodDrinkEurope did not appear to support binding targets to increase product reuse. In a 2023 position paper, FoodDrinkEurope supported restriction on use of PFAS (‘forever chemicals’) with a number of exceptions.
However, FoodDrinkEurope supported the EU’s Soil Strategy in a 2022 consultation response.
Positioning on Statutory Protection of Wildlife: FoodDrinkEurope does not appear to be engaged on the statutory protection of wildlife.