Copa and Cogeca welcome the publication of the EU Bioeconomy progress report and its acknowledgement of the key role of bioeconomy to achieve the EU Green deal objectives mainly in tackling climate change and substituting fossil-based materials and fuels, and at the same time contributing to biodiversity and viable rural areas.
The EU Bioeconomy strategy has helped Member States to prepare national strategies and frameworks to develop bioeconomy at local and regional level and to create new opportunities for rural businesses. This needs to continue in the future to ensure the further development in countries with high potential to mobilise renewable raw materials from agriculture and forestry and to promote circular economy.
For farmers and their cooperatives this translated itself in increased investment, innovation and cooperation in bio-based value chains. Therefore, it is crucial to further support them and to unlock their full potential in the bio-based economy. While the current Strategy successfully created synergies between various policies from research and investment, to investments and more sustainable businesses, more could be done in the future. A great step in this direction is the inclusion of bioeconomy as one of the main strategic objectives of the future CAP, which should be reflected in the national strategic plans.
For Copa and Cogeca it is crucial that the EU increases its independency on renewable raw materials and continues the green transition towards a less fossil-based economy, especially in this difficult period. The agriculture and forest sectors play a key role here and our farmers, forest owners and their cooperatives are committed to delivering these objectives.
Artigo publicado originalmente em Copa Cogeca.