Brussels, January 23, 2024
Dear President von der Leyen,
I would like here to thank the response to my letter of 29 September 2023 on the upcoming Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture in the European Union, signed by your Prime Minister, Mr. Björn Seibert. I would love to too I express my sincere concern about the lack of public health representation in the dialogue.
I thank Mr. Seibert for taking the time to respond. However, the content of his letter, as well as the lack of an invitation to join the dialogue, raises concerns. Importantly, there is no mention of health in the future of EU agriculture, despite the Treaty's requirements that it be included “in the definition and implementation of policies and activities”. […] High level of protection […] for human health” (Article 9 TEU).
The absence of a health dimension regarding the future of agriculture, whether by oversight or by design, is extremely worrying, for the reasons summarized below:
- Food systems and the food systems they produce are major contributors to the burden of disease in the European Union. Non-communicable diseases to which they contribute are the largest cause of ill health and premature death in the European Union, and are associated with the social and economic burden on our societies. To address them comprehensively, they require major nutritional transformations that can only be achieved by creating food environments conducive to health, which in turn requires dynamic cooperation between the agricultural, food and health sectors.
- There she is There are enormous health risks associated with climate change, not least because of the significant contribution of agriculture. Transforming agriculture and changing diets will deliver additional health benefits by reducing health threats posed by climate change. Without the health sector in the dialogue, there will be no opportunity to consider this crucial aspect.
- Equally important, The major global health threat posed by rising antimicrobial resistance requires a One Health approach. With 70% of antibiotic use in agricultural and veterinary applications, a solution to this health challenge can only be achieved through the active participation of the agricultural sector.
Given these major issues, deeply rooted in scientific evidence and on which Europe must take the lead at the global level, the lack of soundness in the review of the future of agriculture in the EU is of great concern.
I am convinced that you share my view that agriculture should support the health of European citizens I hope that your commitment to health will be demonstrated by issuing an imminent invitation for us to join the Strategic Dialogue.
I hope we can count on you to ensure that public health interests are represented in the future of agriculture and in the future of Europe.
welcome,
Dr. Milka Sokolovic
Director General of the European Public Health Alliance
