Bijdrage subcom­missie volks­ge­zondheid over de presen­tatie van de studie van de beleids­af­deling voor econo­misch, weten­schap­pelijk en levens­kwa­li­teits­beleid over “Huidige uitda­gingen en moge­lijk­heden voor de aanpak van obesitas”.

Anja Hazekamp (PvdD):

Thank you for this insightful report, I appreciate the comprehensive overview. And thank you for pointing out the importance of healthy food environments. Indeed, in our work on the Farm2Fork this was one of the prominent focuses. Unfortunately, many of the promised initiatives on improving the food environment have not yet been taken, including the promised revision of the Food information to consumers legislation, including mandatory front-of-pack labelling and the much-needed legislation to end kids marketing of unhealthy products. What would your most pressing recommendations be to improve the food environment? Because we can do a lot, but the most pressing one.

What I also found very interesting in your report is your conclusion that “the agricultural policy in the EU has shaped the affordability and consumption of meat, dairy and sugar.” This is very true of course, the coupled support and now the direct payments make the unhealthy commodities and foods cheap, while fruits, vegetables and legumes are relatively expensive. What recommendations from a health-perspective would you give for the upcoming reform of the Common Agricultural Policy?

And then my final questions, where some colleagues spoke about as well.

In the Dutch supermarkets, an apple is more expensive than a chocolate bar [1]. That’s the world we live in. So, rightly, you’ve also paid attention to the positive effects price mechanisms can have in the purchasing decisions of citizens. As you’ve pointed out in your report, a sugar tax for beverages has proven effect in countering the trend to increased consumption of sugar. Can you elaborate more on the potential beneficial effect of using taxes in influencing our behaviour, for instance by removing the VAT on healthy, unprocessed foods like fruits and vegetables and a raise in the VAT on processed foods, meat and dairy, in the light of the One Health perspective? How can we truly make the healthy and sustainable choice the most affordable and accessible one?

Finally, what role would you see for a Sustainable Food Systems Regulation and do you agree that the Commission urgently needs to publish this long-awaited proposal?

[1] ah.nl, pink lady appels, schaal van 4: EUR 3,49. dus 87 cent per appel. Mars chocolade reep 5-pack: 3,29. dus 65 cent per reep.