Brussels, February 19, 2024 – The Brewers of Europe welcomes the European Commission’s announcement today of a renewed Vision for Agriculture and Food, particularly its commitment to competitiveness, fostering innovation and sustainability, and supporting essential operators in the agri-food chain.
Whilst today is just a first step and we would like to see the strategic importance of food and beverage producers, such as brewers, also come to the fore, we welcome the Commission’s backing for the long-term resilience of European agriculture, food production and supply chains. The Communication says that future EU support should be more directed towards farmers who “actively contribute to food security, towards the economic viability of farms, and the preservation of our environment.”
The beer industry’s prosperity is intertwined with the agricultural sector due to the highly integrated value chain. Over 2 million jobs are directly or indirectly supported by brewers – from the farmers growing barley, other cereals and hops, to the brewers, distributors and pub owners – and together they generate €40 billion in tax revenues each year for EU governments. The beer sector is key to the EU’s future, its strategic autonomy and its economic resilience.
The Communication acknowledges a €62 billion financing gap in Europe’s agriculture and food industries. It emphasises support for sustainable and technologically advanced business models, and commits to enhancing the competitiveness of SMEs in the food and drink sector. There are nowadays 10 thousand breweries operating across the EU, the vast majority of them SMEs.
Brewers have long been at the forefront of sustainable practices, from sourcing high-quality local ingredients to investing in circularity, recycling and reuse. The Communication’s focus on renewable energy and circular economy practices aligns with the ongoing efforts by brewers to reduce their carbon footprint and promote resource efficiency. We believe that policies for sustainable food systems should encourage innovation and boost investment in decarbonisation technologies, so the entire agri-food chain can meet the EU’s 2030 climate goals.
We are pleased with the proposed measures to improve access to financing for innovative and sustainable projects, streamline regulatory frameworks, and foster fair and competitive food supply chains. And we support the calls for generational renewal, as it will be critical to ensure young brewers come into the sector – a major challenge these days in many Member States.
As discussions around the Commission’s Communication begin, The Brewers of Europe looks forward to engaging with policymakers, stakeholders and the beer community to ensure that brewers – small and large – can fully benefit from these initiatives. If Europe is to maintain its position as a leading beer-producing region, brewers need to be recognised as a key part of the agri-food chain and the future prosperity of the EU.
“We applaud the European Commission’s recognition that the EU agri-food sector needs to thrive, innovate and continue to provide its many benefits to our society,” said The Brewers of Europe Secretary General Julia Leferman.
“With the right support mechanisms, European brewers can continue to innovate, invest in green technologies and create new economic opportunities while upholding Europe’s rich brewing heritage. We stand ready to collaborate with EU institutions to shape policies that support a thriving, sustainable brewing industry. Together, we can build a future where innovation, sustainability and competitiveness go hand in hand.”
Contact:
Simon Spillane, sws@brewersofeurope.org, @brewersofeurope
About The Brewers of Europe:
Based in Brussels, The Brewers of Europe brings together national brewers’ associations and companies from 28 European countries to support the united interests of Europe’s 10,000+ breweries. Our vision is to ensure a competitive, responsible and sustainable European brewing sector, creating shared value across the entire value chain and enriching European culture.