Vote with your fork! It seems easier to say this than to
practice. I guess sometimes you feel really happy when you come home with a bag
of locally produced quality food while at other moments you are really content
that you have a full bag of foodshopping for almost no costs. What is best to
do?
Food is really important in our society. Most of will will
probably take the availability for granted. They don’t realize that many is
involved to make, transport and sell it. And it is not just an act of commerce.
Most of it is politics.
In Europe we have the so called Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This policy is made right after
WWII. In this war many Europeans suffered from famine. A period which shouldn’t
overcome us again – the EU commission thought. Then a policy was made aimed at
producing big amounts of food which would be available at reasonable prices.
This policy functioned so well, that Europe produced way
more than it could eat. Surpluses where dumped on the world market for prices
way under local market value. This meant
disruption of trade and a lot of waste which we cannot accept in times when
sources get scarce. Politicians also became aware of this fact and decided to
adapt the policy plan to more up-to-date information. This happened a few times
more during the fifty years of the existence of CAP.
Now you will guess what it has to do with foodinthestreets?
Well, this policy is responsible for the way most Europeans eat. Apart from
some brave small farmers which have decided to go their own way, many adapt
their business operation to the policy. Because this means they could receive
grants which means at least a basic income.
At this moment the Common
Agricultural Policy is a point of discussion again. The policy plan should
be renewed by the beginning of 2013 so that the EU member states could start
the implementation of the new guidelines. But things are difficult and – as always
- a lot of discussion is involved. The plan might not be ready by the end of
this year.
Here is your chance to get involved. EU citizens could have
a vote in the new CAP plans too. If you think we need more organic food in the
supermarket, then ask for it. If you want the farmers to stop using antibiotics,
tell them. If you see rural development as an important counterpart of the
urbanization, let your (local) government know.
