European Ombudsman Opens Inquiry Into European Commission’s Delays Regarding Sustainable Food Systems Legislation

The European Ombudsman, Teresa Anjinho, has opened an inquiry into the European Commission’s delays and lack of transparency regarding the legislative framework for sustainable food systems (SFSL). This comes in response to a complaint by the Polish think tank Green REV Institute, which accused the Commission of violations of the right to good administration and transparency, ignoring public consultations, and breaching the principle of legitimate expectations.

The Commission had previously announced that the SFSL would be adopted by the end of 2023 as part of the Farm to Fork strategy; however, this never transpired. The removal of the initiative from the 2024 work programme without justification has led to concerns about accountability and transparency within the Commission. The Ombudsman has requested a written explanation from the President of the European Commission to clarify the reasons for the delay and the future plans for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of EU institutions being transparent and accountable to citizens.