Vegetable Oils: Securing the Future – Rotterdam – Pietro Paganini
I recently participated in the third edition of the Sustainable Vegetable Oil Conference (SVOC), an initiative I helped launch to explore the vital role of vegetable oils in ensuring global food security. This year’s conference, co-organized by MVO and the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, aimed to transcend traditional trade shows and scientific gatherings by focusing on actionable solutions to today’s pressing challenges.
Vegetable Oils: Securing the Future
During my closing remarks, I reflected on the journey we’ve embarked upon since our first meeting in Bali, which primarily concentrated on palm oil due to its significant global footprint. Today, our scope has expanded to include a diverse array of vegetable oils and producing countries, fostering a richer dialogue and broader understanding.
L’ITALIA E LA BATTAGLIA CONTRO LA PESTE SUINA >>>
The conference underscored a crucial lesson: all vegetable oils are indispensable in securing food and energy resources. However, the discrimination against certain oils, particularly palm oil in Europe, remains a concerning issue. The prevalence of “palm oil free” labels in supermarkets not only undermines the producers but also those struggling with food scarcity.
RIVEDI LA7 OMNIBUS: FORZA EUROPA >>>
We delved into the challenges of increasing productivity amidst a changing climate, aging agricultural infrastructure, and the need for enhanced investment and technological advancement. The cocoa industry serves as a poignant example of these challenges. Moreover, we discussed the complexities of geopolitical dynamics, distribution capabilities, and the ever-growing demand driven by global population increases.
RILEGGI: SENZA PARTECIPAZIONE NON C’È DEMOCRAZIA >>>
A key theme of our discussions was the necessity of science and market-based policies over ideological approaches. We reiterated the essential role of all oils in food and energy security and celebrated the efforts of producing countries and companies to enhance sustainability and product quality.
RIVEDI: LA WOKE CULTURE DELL’ALIMENTAZIONE >>>
We also touched upon the concept of sustainability, noting a shift in the U.S. from traditional models to a focus on resilience – a concept that differs markedly from European approaches. The European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) typifies this divergence, highlighting the absence of EU Commission representatives to address these global challenges.
As we prepare for the next edition of SVOC, we are poised to engage with the EUDR more directly, ready to address and overcome these challenges. Our role is clear: to ensure the continuity and expansion of the sustainable vegetable oil dialogue.
