Calls for Urgent Political Action on Sweden's Food Supply
Coop's meat manager urges Swedish politicians to address the country's food supply issues urgently.
Key Points
- • Majsan Pense of Coop calls for political action on food self-sufficiency.
- • Sweden faces a low self-sufficiency rate in food production, particularly meat.
- • Current declines in meat production are due to breeding requirements and fewer slaughter days.
- • Concerns about the long-term availability of Swedish meat are being raised amid health regulatory issues.
Majsan Pense, Coop Sveriges meat category manager, has urgently called on Swedish politicians to take decisive action to enhance the nation's food supply, especially in the meat production sector. In recent statements, she highlighted alarming levels of food self-sufficiency in Sweden, emphasizing that current production constraints are exacerbated by breeding requirements which, in turn, reduce the number of slaughter days at processing plants. This leads to increased costs and a reliance on imported meat to meet consumer demand.
Pense conveyed her frustration at the lack of political engagement with food supply issues, particularly regarding the necessity of incentives for young farmers entering the industry. She is concerned about the long-term availability of Swedish meat, warning that as slaughterhouses are grappling with how to support young farmers amid generational transitions, the current decline in meat production needs to be addressed before any potential increase. Additionally, she pointed out significant health concerns related to livestock diseases that complicate the prospect of importing animals from other nations.
Moreover, the difference in preparedness compared to Finland, which has established a food reserve, highlights Sweden's vulnerability in food security during crises. Coop aims to strengthen local agriculture by increasing Swedish meat's presence in stores, despite the pressing issues at hand. "Politicians must reach a consensus on these critical food supply concerns," said Pense, urging immediate action to avoid future shortages.