Meet the neighbor: framing the European Union and African Union perspectives on the Farm to Fork goals

The debate surrounding the Farm to Fork Strategy and the European Green Deal with the new sustainability standards proposed by the European Commission to achieve a more sustainable food system and climate-neutral continent by 2050 is increasing concerns and questions among different stakeholders along the food chain and third countries that will be impacted by these measures, if adopted. This analysis aims to expand the debate studying the different perspectives on the relationship food security/sustainability of the European Union and the African Union through the framing of the documents produced by these institutions since 2007. The results show differences in the approach about this relationship seen by the European Union as a long-term goal that looks at the protection of the environment and natural resources while the production changes to be more resilient to external shocks and market fluctuations. Meanwhile, the African Union uses a short-term approach due to the urgency felt by the continental unique environment that makes production development and adapting a priority over environmental issues. These differences need to be targeted to avoid current and future divergences that could impact on the application of the aforementioned standards and to ensure food for all without compromising the future of our ecosystems.