Portugal calls for a ‘food contingency plan’

The Portuguese government presented its proposal for a contingency plan to prevent risks linked to food supply on the European market in crises to the European Commission.

The government has called for the construction of “a contingency plan” to know and more effectively prevent “food supply risks of the European internal market in crisis situations,” the document “Priorities of Portugal for the Commission’s 2023 Work Programme,” seen by EURACTIV’s media partner Lusa.

In the document, Lisbon requests that “special attention” be paid to food safety and welfare in agriculture and fisheries. For example, it calls for a review of the legislation currently in force, including transport and slaughter.

The government is also proposing to set targets for reducing food waste and support the supply of healthy and affordable food in establishments open to the public, such as school canteens, hospitals or retirement homes. The National Confederation of Agriculture (CNA) has asked the government to support the purchase of national products for public canteens, while national farmers, through the reLOCALiza project, aim for 30% of products consumed in canteens to be from local and family agriculture. (...)