The new European Parliament is now in place. What political changes do confectioners want to see?
August 16, 2024
CAOBISCO, the Association of the European Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industries, published its manifesto on European Union policy in July. The manifesto, which details the EU policy cycle 2024-2029, is based on the collective needs and demands of Europe’s 14,300 confectionery companies, 99 of which are SMEs.
The industry association published its five-year action plan as new members of the European Parliament took office. The new EU legislature officially began on 16 July 2024 after 185 million voters in 27 EU member states voted in June. The start of the five-year legislature will influence policy and help shape the European confectionery sector.
The EU confectionery, biscuits and chocolate sector generates a turnover of €59.5 billion per year. The sector generates €3.3 billion in import value and €15.6 billion in export value.
CAOBISCO believes that building sustainable supply chains and ensuring that confectionery policies encourage fair competition, open strategic autonomy and openness are essential to help businesses and the sector as a whole thrive. The association has placed these principles at the heart of its five-year manifesto and hopes to create a prosperous and resilient future for European confectionery by working with the sector and policy makers.
What does CAOBISCO's five-year political manifesto look like?
CAOBISCO, in its hope for the future, calls on the European Parliament to focus its attention on three key areas: strengthening EU fair and free trade, building sustainable supply chains and creating responsible systems backed by science.
We will now look at these three key areas in the CAOBISCO manifesto.
1. Bring back fair and free trade to Europe
CAOBISCO understands the need to maintain the EU's global reputation as a supplier of high-quality products. The report highlights the importance of family businesses and SMEs to the European economy, and the contribution they make through their imports and exports. The report also underlines that, in the face of current social, political, economic and climate challenges, nothing can be taken for granted.
The association therefore turns to policy makers to support the European confectionery industry by encouraging a proactive trade agenda. The association believes that strong multilateral and bilateral trade agreements will facilitate the import of inputs and raw materials, while enabling EU confectionery companies to export high value-added products. They also help to establish common rules and create a level playing field for all confectionery manufacturers.
CAOBSICO maintains that the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine, MERCOSUR and Thailand, as well as Australia, are important for the European confectionery industry and will contribute to its growth.
Furthermore, the association believes that confectionery manufacturers must have access to sustainably produced raw materials at competitive prices. Sugar production and import restrictions create artificial shortages and limit the sector's ability to meet demand for products. Tariffs on raw material imports must not compromise the sector's competitiveness in domestic and international markets. It is also important to provide a variety of sources to ensure food security.
It is also important to update the preferential rule of origin for CAOBISCO products to ensure that exporters and the European economy can benefit from preferential trade agreements. The association argues that the current requirement of at least 40 % of sugar of European origin in a product hinders exports of products with predominantly European added value.
CAOBISCO recommends that the EU implement value-based rules of origin similar to those in the UK and Switzerland. It would be better to focus on creativity and value-added production rather than the origin of individual ingredients.
2. Sustainable supply chains
CAOBISCO reported that many of its members are leading sustainability initiatives at both national and European level. The association, which represents many multi-generational businesses with several generations in Europe, promotes the need for long-term commitments and thinking to maintain the EU's focus on human rights and environmental protection.
CAOBISCO is convinced that in order to achieve sustainable development, the EU must make its laws simpler and more understandable. CAOBISCO fully supports the new rules on forest deforestation, protection of labour and environmental rights and due diligence.
She argues that the problem lies in the potential for inconsistency and the inherent complexity of the system. CAOBISCO stresses that it and its members will offer their knowledge to help create more effective ways to promote sustainability within supply chains. Clear guidance, clear communication and industry input on the implementation of sustainability are essential.
It is vital to support the creation and accessibility of relevant data. To assess and disclose environmental and human rights impacts in supply chains, a large amount of data will be needed. This is a major challenge for SMEs.
The EU must provide useful data to businesses, just as in some sectors. This will help companies meet their due diligence obligations and develop a sustainable economic system. CAOBISCO argues that consistency, reliable data and collaboration are key to progress on sustainability.
It is important, especially for SMEs, to minimise excessive bureaucracy. The association explains that a "one-in, one-out" principle and the establishment of a uniform reporting system would be helpful in achieving this goal.
CAOBISCO wants the EU to foster strong partnerships with third world countries. The EU must work towards a unified global approach that producer countries will adhere to and ensure consistency in other consumer markets. The European Commission is invited to continue and increase its engagement with other countries.
3. Good governance, trust and transparency are essential to achieve good governance.
In order to create well-informed regulation, it is essential that stakeholders and policy makers engage in responsible dialogue. CAOBISCO states that the confectionery industry supports evidence-based policies.
The most effective regulations and policies are based on evidence, have clear objectives, are scientifically tested, all parties are involved, there is a thorough impact assessment and practical aspects are taken into consideration. The association says it is important to keep this process free from bias and politics.
It is also important to foster mutual respect and understanding between business, science and civil society. It is also important to take into account all stakeholders' points of view and to take into account the facts. CAOBISCO states that they have a common goal: to ensure that European products meet high quality standards and are both safe and sustainable.
It is important to recognise the special nature of confectionery, chocolate and biscuit products in EU policy discussions. These products are designed to be consumed as treats.
The CAOBISCO association
encourages transparent policy development from the bottom up, where all stakeholders are involved from the start. It is important to create an atmosphere where stakeholders are listened to and understood in order to build trust and a mutual understanding of the desired outcome and its limitations. This will help you find practical solutions to problems and implement well-thought-out policies.
It is important to recognise the special nature of confectionery, chocolate and biscuit products in EU policy discussions. These products are designed to be consumed as treats. It is therefore important to recognise the importance of these products in everyday life, as well as in EU policy discussions that promote balanced diets and healthy lifestyles.
Treats are not just about nutrition. They are also about pleasure, enjoyment and small moments of indulgence. CAOBISCO believes that responsible production must be combined with conscious consumption. The sector must also ensure that its products are not treated unfairly.
The association wants the EU to move towards sound risk management. The association believes that excessive caution can lead to unnecessary expense and disruption. It is important to take calculated risks to ensure that consumers can enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
CAOBISCO believes that it is the responsibility of European industry to ensure that the Single Market works effectively. Fairness and predictability are created when everyone has the same rules. This is particularly important for SMEs that work internationally, as most of its 14,300 supported companies do.
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