A National Food Strategy for Sweden – more jobs and sustainable growth throughout the country.

This document contains Sweden's first National Food Strategy. The Strategy provides a framework for continued work on developing a competitive and sustainable food supply chain leading up to 2030. Its vision for 2030 is that the Swedish food chain is globally competitive, innovative, sustainable and attractive to operate with. Its overall objective aims at achieving a competitive food supply chain that increases overall food production while achieving the relevant national environmental objectives, aimed at generating growth and employment and contributing to sustainable development throughout the country. The increase in production – of both conventional and organic food – should correspond to consumer demands. The Strategy is structured in three strategic areas, with each of them including specific assessment. These areas are: Rules and regulations; Consumers and markets; and Knowledge and innovation. The objective for the strategic area (1) 'Rules and Regulations' is that rules and regulations should be designed to support the overall objective of a competitive and sustainable food supply chain in which production increases. This should be achieved by means of appropriate taxes and charges, regulatory simplification, a reduced administrative burden and other measures to strengthen competitiveness and profitability. The objective for the strategic area (2) 'Consumers and markets' is that consumers should have a high degree of confidence in food and be able to make informed and sustainable choices, for example with respect to local and organic production. The market for food should be characterised by efficient competition. Swedish food exports must be given the opportunity to grow so as to meet demand in relevant markets. The objective for the strategic area (3) 'Knowledge and innovation' is to support the knowledge and innovation system so as to contribute to increased productivity and innovation in the food supply chain and the sustainable production and consumption of food. With regards to its implementation, the Strategy stressess the need to facilitate the dialogue between the relevant stakeholders at local, regional and national level, and between the public, private and voluntary sectors. The Government will produce a plan with actions that will help to achieve the objectives of the strategy, which will be updated continually. The Food Strategy will be regularly monitored until 2030 and a relevant authority will be mandated to draw up indicators to monitor and evaluate the strategy.