spiritsNEWS

spiritsNEWS April 2024

Early this month, spiritsEUROPE submitted its views to the Strategic Dialogue on Agriculture (SDA). Launched by the Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen in January, the SDA is a multi-stakeholder dialogue forum to shape a shared vision for the future of the EU’s farming and food system. While spiritsEUROPE is not part of the core Forum (29 organisations, including FoodDrinkEurope), we have been asked, together with 170 European stakeholder organisations, to submit our views on 4 specific questions. While this is a non-legislative initiative, the final report will inform and shape EU policy making initiatives in the areas of agriculture and food during the next mandate. We strongly believe it is important for the process to receive broad input from a variety of stakeholders, including from our sector offering consumers a large variety of high-quality products, made from a broad range of agricultural raw materials such as grains, grapes, fruits, vegetables or botanicals. As a result, our sector greatly relies on, and is strongly committed to, responsibly and sustainably managed agricultural production processes.

As part of our submission, we have highlighted several options to support farmers and the rural communities enjoying a better and fair standard of living.

• Supportive Policy Framework: Implementing policies that promote competitive, diverse, and sustainable agricultural production systems, along with dedicated public support schemes, is crucial. This framework should encourage ongoing private investment and ensure fair living standards for farmers and their families.
• Role of the Spirits Sector: The spirits sector plays a significant role in supporting rural economies by generating jobs and encouraging entrepreneurship, especially in remote areas. It is integrated into local agricultural production chains, supporting biodiversity management.
• Long-term Partnerships: Establishing long-term partnerships between the spirits sector and farmers ensures reliable quality production of raw materials. Regular structured dialogues and best practice sharing platforms can further enhance competitiveness and sustainability across sectors.
• Diversification and Tourism: Beyond agri-food production, policies should consider promoting adjacent sectors like hospitality and tourism. The spirits sector has attracted tourists to rural areas, suggesting potential for strategic support for tourism development. In this respect, we are proposing a proactive policy marked by the creation of a European Agency for Tourism that could support the livelihood for rural communities in agricultural areas by helping to implement more attractive and dedicated tourism strategies for such areas.
• Infrastructure and Services: Addressing infrastructural deficits, ensuring access to broadband internet, transportation, healthcare, and education facilities are essential for enhancing quality of life and economic opportunities in rural areas.

Innovation and Education: Encouraging adoption of digital farming technologies, investing in R&D, providing education and training opportunities for farmers, and supporting rural-based startups through seed funding and tax incentives are crucial for enhancing skills and adapting to new technologies.