Water, as a topic, has been overshadowed in environmental policy discussions by climate change and biodiversity loss. However, the heatwaves and news of severe drought in Southern Europe are bringing water responsibility to the forefront of EU policy.
In Finland, the most vulnerable areas to drought are Southern and Southwestern Finland.
Food industry is the largest manufacturing industry in Europe, and water is an inseparable part of its operations. The availability of clean water is a fundamental prerequisite for food production everywhere, but also a cornerstone of the high hygiene standards of Finnish food production.
The incoming European Commission has been proposed to develop a “blue development” program as continuation of the “green development” program.
In the EU, new phenomena are typically addressed through regulation, bans, and restrictions, often overlooking how different the member states are in their starting points. The EU water discussion thus paints a picture of threats to the sustainable growth and export of the Finnish food industry.
The newly appointed Finnish MEPs must stay vigilant and ensure that the different starting points of member states in water issues are recognized.
Decision-making regarding Finland’s water resources and their management must remain in our own hands in the future as well.
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