Brussels | In light of ongoing volatility in global food prices and increasing disruptions in supply chains, Slow Food has unveiled a new policy brief calling on the European Union to reconsider its approach to food trade.
Titled “What’s the Deal? Making EU Agrifood Trade Work for Better Food Systems,” the brief critically examines how the existing global trade framework, characterized by deregulated markets, export-driven agriculture.
It also examines corporate consolidation, and how it’s hindering progress toward more equitable and resilient food systems, both in Europe and worldwide.
As a significant player in global trade, the European Union holds a crucial position in perpetuating this detrimental model.
Current agrifood trade policies are obstructing the shift towards diverse, fair, and resilient food systems, affecting communities both locally and globally.
The trade tensions of 2025, ignited by tariff threats from the U.S., have exposed the fragility of the global food system, which can be drastically altered by governmental decisions, leading to widespread hunger and poverty. However, such crises can also pave the way for transformative opportunities.
“The instability of global food prices and supply chains stems directly from an inadequate trade system. The EU must embrace this moment to move towards agroecological, localized, and socially equitable food systems,” emphasized Marta Messa, Secretary General of Slow Food.
The policy brief begins by analyzing the failures of the current food trade system, tracing its roots to colonial exploitation, deregulation, and the dominance of large corporations.
It delves into the underlying issues fueling the crisis, including agricultural industrialization, market liberalization, and the commodification of food. In response, Slow Food proposes an alternative framework founded on agroecology, food sovereignty, and the relocalization of food systems.
The brief identifies three critical areas for reform:
1. Implementing “mirror measures” to ensure all imports comply with EU environmental and social standards.
2. Supporting the transition from factory farming to agricultural practices that prioritize animal welfare.
3. Enhancing corporate accountability and promoting local food democracy.
It concludes with actionable policy recommendations aimed at establishing a trade system that is equitable, environmentally sustainable, and rooted in cultural food practices and community resilience.
Slow Food urges a significant shift in EU trade policy to promote:
•Agroecology and fair incomes for farmers through a reformed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
•Environmental and social production standards for imported foods via “mirror measures.”
•Shorter, fairer supply chains that empower local producers and enhance food environments.
•Greater corporate accountability, transparency, and robust market regulation.
•Food sovereignty and agrobiodiversity, grounded in cultural food practices and inclusive governance.
“Europe must cease outsourcing the real costs of its consumption. We require a trade policy that nourishes people, not merely corporate profits,” added Marta Messa.
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