Session Chairs: Lukas Luggin & Cinzia Mannozzi
In order to implement the 17 UN sustainable development goals, the food industry must act now, by lowering its environmental impact. Our sector needs to go beyond greenwashing and purely marketing-based approaches, to show consumers and other stakeholders that we are committed to change.
When: Friday 30 July 2021 from 13:00-15:00 (CET)
Where: online, a link will be provided to registered participants
Cost: free of charge
Email: sustainability@effost.org
Register here
Talk 1 - How can the farm to fork strategy lead to a more sustainable food production?
MEP Herbert Dorfmann, European Union, Italy
The new farm to fork strategy has led to many changes towards more sustainable farming. In this talk, Herbert Dorfmann will explain how the current regulation and the green deal from the European Union will help to produce raw materials in a more sustainable way.
Talk 2 - Pathways to reduce the environmental impacts of food production
Thomas Nemecek, Agroscope, Switzerland
The focus of this talk will be on the most effective strategies and the environmental impacts of agricultural land use with regard to GHG emissions, biodiversity, and water use. Also, the huge variability of these environmental impacts will be discussed. Moreover, he will address plans to increase the eco-efficiency of agricultural production and provide an overview of which production systems perform the best (organic or conventional, intensive or extensive).
Talk 3 - Sustainable animal farming practice
Laura Boyle, Teagasc, Ireland
Societal concerns about the welfare of animals in food production systems is increasing. Nowhere is this reflected more pertinently than in the recent European Citizens' Initiative "End the Cage Age" which has prompted a commitment from the European Commission to bring forward legislation to ban cages for specific farmed animal species. However, societal concern is not the only reason why animal welfare is an important component of the sustainability of food animal production systems. Laura Boyle will introduce a number of ways of how animal welfare contributes to sustainability. She will also demonstrate why the concept of ‘One Welfare’ is the best framework through which to ensure the sustainability of our farming systems.
Talk 4 - Vertical farming: a shift to a more sustainable farm system?
Nordic Harvest, Denmark
Nordic Harvest is operating the biggest vertical farming structure in Europe. In the talk, Nordic Harvest will share some insights of the biggest vertical farm in Europe. In addition, the company will show the advantages of vertical farming and how it can lead to a more sustainable farm system. They will help to answer the question if vertical farming is an alternative and where it could replace traditional farming techniques.
After the presentations, the speakers will be available for a panel discussion involving the audience.
This seminar is part of a seminar series 'Sustainable Food Systems: Connecting Expertise in Academia and Industry' organized by the Working Group on Sustainable Food Systems and Young EFFoST. It aims to provide detailed insights into various facets of sustainability in the food sector. The seminars include expert talks, practical indications from industry professionals, as well as short presentations from selected early-stage researchers. Access the programme of the full seminar series and the slides from previous seminars here.