We need holistic laws

The Confederation of the Food and Drink Industries of the EU (CIAA) hopes that its proposals for a more "holistic" approach to regulation will be adopted as part of the European Commission (EC) High Level Group's first actions to improve the competitiveness of the sector.

In light of the global economic crisis, the CIAA has proposed a more joined-up approach to the introduction of new EU laws. The CIAA's director general, Mella Frewen, has even called for new legislation "to be put on the back burner" until the economic crisis has been resolved.

"I'm not saying to shelve it - but just let it bubble underneath while they concentrate on getting us out of this economic difficulty we are in," said Frewen. The CIAA hopes its proposals will be accepted when the High Level Group has its first open meeting this month.

The notion is that before any new regulations are published, they are scrutinised by the various EC directorates so that they do not contain contradictory elements as is common at present. Take packaging, for example, said Frewen: "You want to cut down on packaging, but then we are also trying to reduce portion sizes. It doesn't take a nuclear physicist to know that if you make 10 small packages you need a hell of a lot more wrapping paper."

On the way regulations can inhibit innovation, she added: "We are fighting very hard for better regulation and reducing administrative burdens ... there is a risk if the situation becomes overwhelming we will lose these industries, or our big companies will take their innovation abroad."

Frewen would also like to see the EC provide the food sector with more support for exports in the form of bilateral trade agreements if multilateral agreements, being sought as part of World Trade Organisation discussions, cannot be achieved.

She further proposed greater involvement of Member States in providing more industry support by the provision of equity capital or start-up capital.