Tomorrow's consumer challenges the whole food system
Growth, competitiveness and future of the food sector are founded on a proper response to consumer needs. According to the working group on a national food strategy, the differentiating consumer patterns and understanding the varying needs of the consumers call for a new kind of dialogue, collaboration and partnerships among the consumers, trade, catering services, industry and primary production.
Communication on food-related properties, including the origin and different dimensions of responsibility, will become increasingly important. The choices desired by the consumers are enhanced by the supply of organic and local food and products made by SMEs. The working group on food strategy submitted its report "Tomorrow's food" to Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Sirkka-Liisa Anttila on 18 June 2010.
Climate change is going to impact on the preconditions for food production in different parts of the world. The working group considers that due to the impacts of climate change, in Finland and elsewhere, our abundant natural resources and especially pure waters and high level of expertise we should be able to double the value of food production in the following decades. The growth is comprised of both increased exports and shift to higher value-added products. To reach this objective we must take good care of our natural resources and invest in top research, product development and competence building.
The dependence of Finnish agriculture on imported protein feed and energy should be reduced. What needs to be stressed in agriculture is competiveness founded on comparative advantage in terms of natural resources, which also lays the foundation for the preparation of future environmental programmes. For Finnish agriculture it is important that the EU continues to have a strong common agricultural policy, with sufficient funding.
Obesity has become the most significant food-related health risk. The strategy group considers that early childhood education and schools have a central role in disseminating information and know-how on food issues and, through this, in promoting healthy eating. Interest in food and knowledge about its properties, origin and preparation lead to healthier food consumption habits. Reserving enough time for peaceful meals, both at home and out, contributes to better timing of eating and helps in weight control.
For more efficient coordination of food-related policies and various actions the working group proposes that a Ministerial Group on food policy, with subordinate bodies of government officials, be set up to manage food issues in the central government. In the future these issues should be managed in larger entities so that the various food-related policies work to the same end to achieve the same, commonly agreed objectives. Instead of fragmented development efforts and partial optimisation the resources are targeted to larger projects. This will also clarify and improve the consistency of the role of public regulation in the food system.
The working group on food strategy was chaired by Mining Counsellor (Hon.) Simo Palokangas, the vice-chair was Director Teija Andersen from Fazer and the members were President Juha Marttila from the Central Union of Agricultural producers and Forest Owners MTK, Secretary General Sinikka Turunen of the Finnish Consumers Association, Director Risto Pyykönen from S-Group, Nutrition Expert Patrik Borg, Professor Sirpa Kurppa from the Agrifood Research Finland MTT and Executive Director Marko Parkkinen from Seedi Oy. The secretary of the working group was PhD (Agriculture) Kaisa Karttunen.
Further information:
Mining Counsellor (Hon.) Simo Palokangas, chair, tel. +358 (0)400 521 697
Director Teija Andersen, vice-chair, tel. +358 (0)400 507 241
Reports available on the website of the food strategy at: www.mmm.fi/ruokastrategia
