June 6, 2025 (press release) –
Today’s publication of the EU Water Resilience Strategy will help set the framework to preserve our vital water resources here in Europe. Water plays an essential role in sustainability, competitiveness, and public health. As Europe’s largest manufacturing sector, the food and drink industry depends on high-quality water for safe, sustainable production.
FoodDrinkEurope supports the Strategy’s focus on restoring water cycles, promoting water-smart practices, and ensuring clean water access. However, policies on reuse, wastewater, and pollution control must align with EU food safety laws. Reused water in food production must meet strict hygiene standards outlined in the Drinking Water Directive and Food Hygiene Regulation.
Meanwhile, regulatory barriers such as discharge permitting and pollutant concentration limits should be adapted to the realities of reduced water consumption, and we urge the European Commission to address these technical barriers to encourage water circularity.
Europe’s food and drink makers are already investing in water stewardship and local partnerships. Building true water resilience demands inclusive governance that reflects the sector’s essential role and diverse needs.
We stand ready to work with the European Commission to implement this Strategy in a way that protects water resources, supports competitiveness, and secures Europe’s food supply.
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