Food sovereignty: a central issue at medfel 2023
Consumers are expressing ever clear expectations for food that is healthy for them and virtuous for the environment. In view of the geopolitical context and increasingly pressing climate issues, the players in the sector can no longer ignore economic and ecological problems.
On 26 and 27 April 2023, medFEL will be the opportunity to open the debate! Food sovereignty will be the main topic.
The challenge of food sovereignty
On 1st January 2023, the new Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 came into force. This policy raises the stakes for the development of a more resilient agricultural sector, in line with climate objectives, and viable in terms of the economic dynamism of regions. 45 billion euros will be paid to France over this period.
“Agriculture is more than just a part of our identity and our history, it is also a part of our future, because it is a decisive part of our sovereignty,” said Marc Fresneau, Minister of Agriculture and Food, in his New Year message to the agricultural world on 16 January. While the health crisis has put agriculture back on the strategic agenda, the war in Ukraine has put the spotlight on the issue of food sovereignty. States and governments must put this issue, particulary given that the consequences of climate variations on agriculture are increasing the uncertainty. And in France, where do we stand? Are we equipped to deal with this situation and meet consumer demands? How can we guarantee our self-dependence, when half of all farmers are set to retire by 2030?
Occitania is working on the transformation of its economic development model, which involves indepth work in favour of food sovereignty. While giving a concrete meaning to the words “short circuits”, “sustainable agriculture”, “responsible consumption”; the Region is committed behind the Sud de France brand and encourages local consumption.
A must-see debate
To decipher these issues, medFEL 2023 welcomes Jean-Marie Séronie, one of the two guest sepakers of this edition. A member of the French Academy of Agriculture and an agricultural engineer, he has been helping farmers with their development for over 40 years. He is also a director of the SAF Agridées and of the Société Française d’Économie Rurale.
Jean-Marie Séronie will chair a new debate on Thursday 27 April at 2.30 pm on the following topic. “Food sovereignty: how to better feed the world tomorrow”.
What are the long-term solutions to this complex issue? Jean-Marie Séronie will focus on deciphering the agricultural issues of tomorrow.
Food sovereignty and agro-ecological transition
The adaptation of French agriculture to climatic and diplomatic upheavals is intimately linked to the agro-ecological transition.
To go further, medFEL 2023 welcomes Jean Viard, another guest speaker at this edition. Director of research at CEVIPOF-CNRS, he has fought to advance the debate on social time, land use planning and agriculture.
Jean Viard will give an exclusive lecture on Wednesday 26 April at 3.30 pm on the following theme “Climate challenge: agri-food sectors in an era of agro-ecological transition”
A connoisseur of French society, particularly rural areas and agricultural policies, Jean Viard will share his views on how French agriculture will contribute to the agro-ecological transition.
medFEL 2023: the meeting point of an entire sector
For more than 10 years, medFEL has been a major event in Occitania, the second largest producer of fruit and vegetables in France and the leading region in terms of organic production and the number of labelled products. The event aims to bring together operators from the regions of France in one place for two days, and to encourage debate on trends and news in the sector.
Above all, medFEL is the only meeting place for fruit and vegetable operators who are 100% committed to a sustainability approach, in line with consumer expectations.
This year, the show is opening up to the eco-responsible and labelled cut flower sector.
In addition to this sector, visitors will be able to discover the Organic Road by medFEL, a visitor trail to identify organic ranges more quickly, as well as the Organic Market by medFEL bringing together the organic fruit and vegetable offering of exhibitors at the show entrance.
And for professionals looking for innovative solutions in the field of sustainable development, zero waste and the circular economy, medFEL is putting on the Lab’Innov for the second consecutive year, a concentration of initiatives that create added value!
