Industry Must Take Responsibility for Sustainable Food Production

Industry leaders have a responsibility to drive the shift toward more sustainable food production, claims Dick Hordijk, CEO of Topigs Norsvin. He notes that the farming and food supply chain is under increasing scrutiny to accelerate its sustainability, but meeting societal expectations requires more than just government support. Hordijk emphasizes the importance of industry leadership, taking responsibility for environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and social equity. He stresses that collaboration among industry players, farmers, and governments is essential to create products consumers trust and are willing to pay for.

Key Takeaways:

• Dick Hordijk, CEO of Topigs Norsvin, emphasizes the need for industry leadership in driving sustainable food production.
• The industry should focus on taking responsibility for its impact in areas like environmental sustainability, animal welfare, and social equity.
• Collaboration among industry players, farmers, and governments is crucial for creating products that meet consumer demands.
• Financing the transition to more sustainable animal protein production requires involvement from consumers, retailers, and governments.
• Policymakers should help create a shared, long-term plan with measurable goals to inspire action towards sustainability.
• The industry risks fragmentation and short-term fixes without a unified vision for sustainability.

Statistics:

• 2030: proposed target year for the EU Commission's sustainability goals.
• 2040: proposed target year for the EU Commission's long-term sustainability planning.
• Norway and Switzerland: cited as examples of countries with clear markets and expectations, leading to accelerated innovation.
• Spain: mentioned as an example of integrated food chains that deliver higher welfare and sustainability standards while capturing added value.

Sources:

• Dick Hordijk, CEO of Topigs Norsvin, in an interview with AgTechNavigator.
• EU Commission's , published earlier this year (no specific date provided).
• Animal AgTech Innovation Summit in Amsterdam, October 16 (no specific time allocated for Hordijk's participation).