Organic Sweden was present in Brussels on June 14 when the seminar "The Future of Food from Sweden" was arranged by the Swedish presidency together with Business Sweden and the food companies.

The seminar focused on sustainable food production of the future. Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle, deputy director at the European Commission, who was one of the speakers told about his and the European Commission's work for a future sustainable agriculture and food production. Among other things, she underlined the importance of reducing the use of chemical pesticides.

Ecologically delivers on several of the European Commission's sustainability goals

In the EU's food strategy Farm to Fork, organic production is an effective tool to address climate change, nitrogen leakage and the loss of biodiversity. Among the EU Commission's goals for 2030 are the following linked to organic agriculture;

• At least 25 percent of agricultural land within the EU must be organically grown
• The use of pesticides must be reduced by 50%
• Fertilizer use to be reduced by 20%
• Plant nutrient leakage to be reduced by 50%

Panel discussion on Swedish food exports

At the seminar, which was moderated by Johan Krallis Anell, national coordinator for food exports at the Government Office, also participated Lennart Wallander at Food & Friends. Lennart talked about which trends and scenarios he believes will affect future food production. A panel discussion followed Louis Hinzen at FoodDrinkEurope, Alarik Sandrup at Lantmännen and Jimmy Sandell at Livsmedelsföretagen and Catherine Geslain-Lanéelle.

Jimmy Sandell talked about the food companies' export target of 100 billion in 2025. He also stated that:

"Sweden is still a small player and that there is much left to do, not least when it comes to our self-image. We have not seen ourselves as a food exporting country and the food industry has for too long been treated stepmotherly by politicians in the export promotion work. The potential for Swedish food and drink abroad is enormous, and with the right conditions, the Swedish food industry can become a template for the global, sustainable production of food while at the same time strengthening Sweden's ability to supply."

From Organic Swedens side, we can sign that Sweden's self-image must be strengthened.

- Sweden is one of the world's leading countries when it comes to organic production and consumption. When it comes to the share of organic farmland, the share of organic food in the public sector and the private consumption of organic, we are at the absolute top. It is something we should emphasize more clearly in all contexts, says Charlotte Bladh André, Organic Swedens who sit on the steering group for Sweden's food export program Try Swedish, which is coordinated by Business Sweden.

From left Charlotte Bladh André, Organic Sweden, Maria Kärnerud and Helen Rönnholm, Business Sweden.

Later in the day Region offered Västra Götaland together with the Swedish Embassy and Try Swedish to an event where exquisite Swedish flavors were also offered, signed by the chef national team Malin Lönneberg. Host for the evening was Renee Bengtsson, President Regional Council of Västra Götaland.