16 October - World Food Day
More and more often the dietary choice of European consumers inclines towards healthier and more nutritious foods produced according to ethical, environmentally benign methods. This quality is what the Council of Europe endeavours to guarantee, through numerous standard-setting and co-operative activities.
The Organisation has been developing international standards for materials intended to come into contact with foodstuffs since the early 1960s. It has also carried out studies on emulsifying agents, stabilisers, colouring matter and preservatives. And it was the first, over twenty years ago, to draw up a list of flavouring substances acceptable in food.
Until recently, European policy on food safety was founded principally on surveillance of the microbiological and chemical quality of foods. Today it is plain that diet is essential to health. The Council of Europe, for instance, organised in conjunction with the World Health Organisation a forum on eating at school in 2003 and contributed to the WHO Ministerial Conference entitled "Counteracting obesity" in 2006.
Apart from food security and food hygiene, producers and farmers are also expected to observe legal requirements regarding environment and animal well-being. The animal protection conventions prepared by the Council of Europe were the first international instruments laying down ethical principles for the transport, breeding and slaughtering of animals. They served as a basis for, and continue to influence, the whole of the relevant legislation in Europe.
Family farming - feeding the world, caring for the earth
The 2014 World Food Day theme - Family Farming: “Feeding the world, caring for the earth” - has been chosen to raise the profile of family farming and smallholder farmers. It focuses world attention on the significant role of family farming in eradicating hunger and poverty, providing food security and nutrition, improving livelihoods, managing natural resources, protecting the environment, and achieving sustainable development, in particular in rural areas. The UN General Assembly has designated 2014 “International Year of Family Farming.” This is a strong signal that the international community recognizes the important contribution of family farmers to world food security. (more...)
Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition
"Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition" will be the focus of World Food Day in 2013. The official World Food Day theme – announced at the start of every year by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – gives focus to World Food Day observances and helps increase understanding of problems and solutions in the drive to end hunger. (more...)