El Council of Ministers of the European Union has met almost two years after the covid-19 lreach the mainland. The objective? Search for a joint plan that manages to alleviate the food security crisis which could lead to another pandemic. We tell you all the details here.
empty supermarkets
Impossible to forget those first days of the pandemic in Spain. Shortly before the quarantine notice. the panic spread seeing how an unknown virus attacked us. Thus, fear rushed in when seeing all the supermarket shelves empty. The more farsighted prepared and filled their shopping baskets with all kinds of necessary supplies. Even, on many occasions, the chaos meant that buy more products. That is to say, they opted for the massive purchase.
Do you remember the fever that created the rolls of toilet paper? Actually, it happened with most foods and products. What is more, the meat refrigerated exhibitors were the first to empty. Milk cartons were also claimed more than normal. This demand represented a increase in “psychosis” already created. Either you went early and fast to the store or you ran the risk of not finding your livelihood.
However, at all times it was reported that there was no shortage. In other words, Spain was receiving the same amount of food as before the coronavirus crisis. Therefore, the madness experienced in stores in March 2020 was originated and fueled solely by the personal fear.
Securing the food supply
Spain did not suffer shortage problems. However, the European Union, EU, protects a plan that guarantees food safety. That is, a plan that ensures the food supply in cases of crisis. For this reason, the EU Agriculture Ministers met on December 13 to protect the European food chain of future threats. As well as future pandemics.
For this they met in a Council where they gave the green light to the plan. Consisting thus the conclusions on the plan for food supply and food security developed by the European Commission. plan inside the digital workplace strategy “Farm to table”. The Council of the European Union has issued a statement in which they assure that the initiative "will help the EU to face challenges such as extreme weather events, events related to plant or animal health and the scarcity of fertilizers, energy or the hand working".
In addition, Luis Planas, Spanish Minister of Agriculture, has assured that it will be a breakthrough. With the food security plan, "a step forward in the response to future crises" will be taken, confirmed Planas. Likewise, it has positively valued that the Spanish contributions have been taken into account.
Learn from the pandemic
Although, like Spain, the European Union achievement cushion the worst effects of covid-19, we must learn from this virus. The ministers have jointly agreed on the need that everything learned during the pandemic should be used to respond better in the face of future crises. The Member States highlight in the already approved conclusions the importance of the previous market. Just as you think you should stay mobile cross-border movement of people, goods, services and capital.
In addition, the experts also assure that a standing mechanism to monitor the EU's level of preparedness for possible threats to food security. As well as reinforce and take advantage of the tools that you already have. With the objective of deal with these crises of food safety. always respecting national competences and the principle of subsidiarity.
Already empty supermarkets in Seville, psychosis due to #coronavirus it is not normal pic.twitter.com/RCWqZkU7Y5
— IGNACIO (@Ignaaciocg) February 27, 2020
“By taking advantage of lessons learned during the pandemic, we can ensure that our response to future crises is coordinated at EU level and allow continuous movement of people, goods and services across borders” commented Joze Podgorsek, Minister of Slovenia. In addition, together with the rest of the ministers of the European Union, he has highlighted the importance of good communication between stakeholders and the public.
Europe, in general, mitigated the consequences of the food safety during the coronavirus. However, since Europe is so recent must learn from them to acteven better next time, if there is one. Therefore, it seems to us appropriate the initiative of the Council of the EU. And you? Have you learned anything from the pandemic?
