1 Industrial policy in the food and drink industry and the importance of social dialogue Estelle BRENTNALL - Food, Drink & Tobacco Political Secretary at EFFAT

INDUSTRIAL POLICY- CRITICAL FACTORS Role in linking skills/apprenticeships development with employment and economic growth, involvement of workers and employers both at national and EU levels is essential. Social dialogue and social partners involvement The process should be consultative and inclusive, with national, regional competent authorities. An informed approach Policy development and review should be supported by continuous research into various aspects of industry development (innovation, skills, access to finance etc.) Continuous research and investment What is industrial policy? Innovation policy, access to finance, skills, training policies Quantity and quality of jobs, sustainable competitiveness, importance of public investment, legal framework to anticipate change

IMPORTANCE OF THE FOOD INDUSTRY MOMENTUM IN MARCH 2014, EUROPEAN COUNCIL EFFAT and FoodDrinkEurope drafted a letter and a joint statement on Industrial Policy that was sent to key DGs and Presidency attachés in view of the European Council of March 20 -21, 2014 (Industrial policy and competitiveness topics high on the agenda) Important that the Food and Drink Industry is recognized in its own right as a key actor/element of European Industrial Policy Importance of the agriculture and food sectors- rural communities- food security- multi functional role (social, economic and environmental)

MARCH 2014: COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS I European Industrial Competitiveness as a key driver for economic growth and jobs “Fostering the Union's industrial growth requires the right skills. Further efforts by the public and private sectors should be directed to promoting mobility, education and vocational training. All available instruments should be used to this end, such as the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), the new generation of Erasmus+, the Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs, the European Alliance for Apprenticeships or the Youth Employment Initiative and the Youth Guarantee. Industry should be more involved in forecasting future skills needs”. Source: European Council Conclusions 20/21 March 2014 (point 10 – Industrial Competitiveness and Policy) High quality jobs, effetcive social protection and investment in human capital

MARCH 2014: COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS II Important links Europe 2020 strategy Industrial Competitiveness Innovation and Education/ Employment policies Important links between these topics

EU SOCIAL PARTNERS WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON: Skills and education development, creating jobs Innovation, R&D Synergies of resources through common project on “Bringing in new talents and managing an ageing workforce” and the European Alliance on Apprenticeships joint pledge through discussions on nanotechnologies, digitalisation through Social Dialogue meetings and the HLF

Bringing in new talents and managing an ageing workforce: two sides of the same coin – implementing good practices for a more attractive food and drink industry in Europe The details of the project and best practice examples are available on http://fooddrinkeurope-effat-toolbox.eu/ where users can download material in different languages. Translated reports: http://fooddrinkeurope-effat-toolbox.eu/download-the-report/ Translated Executive Summaries: http://fooddrinkeurope-effat-toolbox.eu/about-the-initiative/ Case studies (in English): http://fooddrinkeurope-effat-toolbox.eu/case-studies/

NEXT STEPS 2016 -2017 Objectives Provide source of inspiration- means and resources for training to have a qualified workforce- a key element of any industrial policy

EFFAT- EUROPEAN AGENDA- Shaping a sustainable industrial policy Fight against all forms of precariousness to achieve decent work Promote fair and sustainable trade relationships along the food supply chain Protect workers from health and safety risks Support collective bargaining and strengthen better working conditions CAP, climate change, green jobs, job fund, fair competition- fair trade- HLF, food safety, taxes, obesity, glyphosate, labelling and traceability, transparency of prices

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! Estelle Brentnall e.brentnall@effat.org