Our policy priorities
Our main concerns...
Enterprises Policy and Food Retail Market
The European Union must ensure a level playing field for all types of enterprises, including consumer co-operatives. National and European specific legal regimes for cooperative societies, where they exist, must be taken into consideration and respected when formulating policies.
The food retail market should be transparent and wisely regulated to prevent unfair competition and/or abuses from any market players in the whole supply chain.
Attention should be given to prevent speculation in food markets and allow consumers access to quality and affordable food products. Consumer co-operatives are well placed to guarantee these conditions for consumers and therefore their activity should be promoted and stimulated.
More information: [Enterprises Policy]
Food Policy
Consumer cooperatives believe that food policy must be based on the principles of quality, affordability, safety and information to consumers.
Labelling is an important tool to provide consumers with information regarding food products regarding not only their characteristics but also other aspects such as nutrition information and sustainability criteria. The EU institutions should ensure a balanced and coherent labelling policy for food products.
Other issues such as the use of new technologies in food and feed, nanotechnologies, "novel foods" and cloning of animals for food purposes, have to remain top priorities in the agenda of the new Parliament.
Consumer cooperatives are since long involved in raising awareness and promoting education for balanced lifestyles. The fight against obesity should stay a high priority for legislators and Euro Coop calls for a careful approach to the setting of nutrient profiles.
More information: Food Policy
Environmental and Ethical Policy
Climate Change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century and it will remain so despite the financial and economic crisis. The EU has a fundamental role, domestically and globally, in ensuring that global warming remains below the 2 degrees Celsius in comparison to pre-industrial levels. The involvement of all stakeholders is crucial and consumer cooperatives will take up the challenge with concrete commitments and actions to help reach this objective. A special attention must also be given to the EU's energy policy.
Sustainable consumption and production is an important concept to be developed in the coming years. Consumer cooperatives, by nature, act responsibly in the markets according to values and principles and can be major partners in the implementation of a sustainable consumption and production strategy.
Ethical and environmental concerns are at the heart of consumer cooperatives' work. Issues such as Fair Trade, organic farming and others should be a top priority for the EU in the coming years.
More information: [Environmental and Ethical Policy]
Consumer Policy
The EU should promote a policy that enables consumer to be protected, safe and confident. The establishment of an EU framework for consumer rights, taking into account existing national legal provisions should a priority for the upcoming Parliament. Also, consumers must be able to exercise their rights in an effective, quick and simple way and therefore the issue of redress, in particular collective redress, still needs to be improved at the European level.
Consumer cooperatives are consumer-based organizations and fully support a strong and balanced consumer policy.
More information: [Consumer Policy]
