It is understandable and legitimate for the European Union to reconsider its own agricultural policy and see what it takes to ensure strategic autonomy. So says Maurizio Martina, deputy director of the World Food Organization FAO and former Italian agriculture minister.
Martina made his statements in an interview with Euractiv. According to him, there are several reasons to take a closer look at the policy, such as the climate crisis, the effects of Covid-19 and now also the war in Ukraine. As a result, food prices have risen to record highs. In addition, it has once again become very clear to Europe how great the dependence is on raw materials from other continents. It is important for Europe to take these matters into account when tightening policy.
Martina also states that it is not only about the direct interest of the EU. Food security and thus social peace in neighboring countries is also of European importance. On the other hand, questions have also been asked about European agricultural policy in recent times, including by the American FDA and from member states. So far, Brussels itself has reacted very reluctantly to this.