Slow Europe

Important decisions are being made for the future of food production across Europe, and Slow Food is working to ensure the integration of good, clean and fair aspects and the promotion of sustainable small-scale practices. Currently, we are focused on the European Union’s reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Born as an idea in the 18th century, the European Union grew gradually in its powers and spheres, and today represents and regulates for half a billion citizens in 27 countries. Under the pressure of social, economic and environmental crises and well aware that we are at a turning point in history, Brussels aims to support the harmonious development of European societies through its policies.

In the environmental sector especially, the EU is developing new policies and action plans to stop biodiversity decline, tackle climate change and protect ecosystems. These aspects are key to discussions of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Slow Food is following the process closely and the association’s members, European national association and producers united in the Terra Madre network are campaigning for a positive outcome.

Slow Food’s position on the Common Agricultural Policy is outlined in the document Towards a New Common Agricultural Policy (right column), and outlines how we believe that focusing on sustainable small-scale production and young people can help retain Europe’s rich agricultural and culinary identities.

Slow Food promotes food sovereignty, the right of peoples to decide what they grow and eat. It advocates a holistic approach to agriculture and fisheries, harnessing social aspects (the connection between producers and consumers), environmental aspects (the protection of biodiversity, water reserves and soil fertility) and cultural aspects (the conservation of traditional knowledge). It opposes the standardization of taste and culture, and the unrestrained power of the food industry multinationals and industrial agriculture.

By working together with other organizations, along with the European Union, we can achieve positive results for all, upholding the rights of millions of small- scale sustainable producers and concerned consumers.

Slow Food gratefully acknowledges funding support from the European Commission. All content and opinions expressed on this page are solely those of Slow Food.