The economy cannot grow infinitely on a finite planet. Instead, the postgrowth economy can: meet social needs without overshooting planetary limits; prioritize care, community, and cooperation; and give people the economic security and freedom to live dignified, meaningful lives. The current industrial neoliberal food system uses huge amounts of resources and falls short to create wellbeing for producers, local communities, consumers, and contributes to ecological breakdown.
For the first primer in the series, we zoom in on ‘Food Systems Beyond Growth’. How can the European food system ensure dignified livelihoods for farmers and secure the right to food for all within planetary boundaries? Which practices are in line with a just agricultural transition and postgrowth Economy? What agricultural policies and reforms are needed to tackle the social and ecological crisis in Europe? This policy primer, featuring examples like the citizen-led initiative Herenboeren from the Netherlands and policy pilots in France, answers those and more questions.
We debunk the political discourse that pits farmers against the transition to a sustainable and resilient food system. Environmental protection does not need to be traded off for workers’ protection. Rather, European farming must transition to small-scale agroecological food production that is embedded in community economies. Therefore, European policies must regulate against agri-food oligopoly and strive for food sovereignty, at home and abroad.
In this primer, we share essential practices, shared by practitioners and experts, such as small-scale agroecological farming, community economy schemes, and food sovereignty. And we advocate for agricultural policies and CAP-reforms, such as stronger European market and trade regulations, and regulations on access to land.
Postgrowth creates possibilities for building a new economic narrative and policy agenda, beyond that of the liberal green and the traditionally growthist left. This agenda creates greater wellbeing for all, including essential workers, care-givers and care-workers, the unemployed and workers affected by the transition, and communities affected by climate change and economic insecurity.
This primer is part of a series, keep your eyes peeled to our website or social media for the upcoming primers on Work and Welfare !
In this primer series, Commons Network, together with Oxfam Novib, explores how European countries can break away from dependency on economic growth and prioritize social wellbeing and thriving ecosystems. This series is the product of discussions facilitated by Commons Network and partners in the Postgrowth Pan-European Network since 2023. The network brings together Members of Parliament, trade union representatives, and postgrowth experts to discuss policies and strategies to advance the postgrowth agenda.