Euro Coop Members Gather in Brussels for Board and European Parliament Meetings

On 4 March 2026, Euro Coop members met in Brussels for the hybrid Board Meeting, followed by a high-level dialogue with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) at the European Parliament.

Hosted by MEP Camilla Laureti, Vice-President of the S&D Group, the meeting brought together MEPs including Idoia Mendia, Stefano Bonaccini, Maravillas Abadía Jover, Giuseppe Lupo, Alessandro Zan, Georgia Tramacere, and Irene Tinagli, as well as representatives from several other MEP offices. The discussion focused on the contribution of consumer co-operatives to sustainable, inclusive, and innovative food retail across Europe.

Euro Coop’s delegation included President Mathias Fiedler (ZdK), Secretary General Fabrizio Fabbri, and representatives from member co-operatives, including Lukas Nemčík (Coop Czech Republic) and Felix Martín Galicia (Hispacoop). Three case studies had been presented:

• Sustainability in Food Products: Coop Sweden’s Sustainability Declaration helps consumers understand the environmental and social footprint of their purchases.

• Rural Retail Innovation: Lukas Nemčík presented its 24/7 automated stores, improving access to essential goods in smaller municipalities and supporting local economies.

• Ethical Supply Chains: Coop Italia initiatives to ensure fair working conditions and combat labour exploitation in agriculture.

After the presentations, the discussions focused on criticalities and challenges faced by Euro Coop members. While co-operatives play a frontrunner role in reducing social and environmental impacts, regulatory uncertainty, delayed legislation, and limited transition periods in EU proposals can hinder their initiatives. Examples include the withdrawal of the proposed Food Sustainability Law, delays in the Deforestation Regulation, and gaps in implementing measures that affect both suppliers and consumers. Euro Coop called for clear, technically sound legislation with smooth implementation, to support sustainable practices and uphold EU values.

MEPs recognised the significant contribution of consumer co-operatives to the European food retail sector. They highlighted how co-operatives not only promote sustainable and responsible food systems, but also play a crucial role in supporting local communities and fostering social cohesion. The discussions underscored the co-operative model’s ability to empower consumers by providing transparent information, fair pricing, and ethical sourcing. MEPs acknowledged that co-operatives serve as innovators in areas such as digital solutions for rural retail, ethical supply chains, and sustainability initiatives, demonstrating how a values-driven business model can align with broader EU objectives.

Watch the short video of the meeting