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Public health and care for the environment are challenges of the 21st Century. In today’s society specific attention is given to both. National and international policymakers set out strategies aimed at improving the consumers’ health and safety, and at safeguarding our environment. Salt plays an undeniable, vital role in daily life and touches especially the public health and environment domains. Because of its effects on the long term, EuSalt believes that public health policy regularly should be re-assessed and updated in function of new correct, unbiased scientific findings. These should be the basis upon which achieved health outcomes are measured and re-adjusted. Public health policy should be clear and not misleading by merely focusing on nutrient reduction programs which are not the best means to achieve improved public health on the long term. EuSalt is in favour of a balanced diet as part of a healthy lifestyle and of a policy approach emphasizing the importance of dietary choices and physical activity. Salt certainly contributes to a healthy lifestyle: as an important source of lifeessential nutrients, as a key ingredient in food manufacturing, and as the best means to fight iodine deficiency and tooth decay. Correct information on nutrients and healthy lifestyles, reducing the risks of unbalanced diets, should be at the basis of any health policy. As an important economic player, the EU salt industry responds and lives up to today’s environmental challenges. EuSalt and its members believe that managing climate change and protecting our environment is crucial for all of us. As salt is a primary source material used in many chemical industries, policy affecting the salt industry has a direct effect on its viability. Policymakers should aim at finding a balance between achieving environmental goals and maintaining the viability of the European industry. It is Europe’s mission to set the environmental standards, while European companies have the task to work towards a minimal impact of their activities on the environment. By guaranteeing the economical viability of the European industry, Europe equally provides the best condition for making sure that environmental goals are achieved. Salt and the salt industry contribute to an improved sustainability: by softening water it reduces the use of detergents, while leading to efficient energy consumption of households and increasing lifespan of household heating devices. By making roads safe in winter time it reduces the burden of traffic congestion on the environment. Both with regards to the public health and environment domains, EuSalt – as a responsible stakeholder - invites the concerned policymakers to look at a broad and transparent consultation of stakeholders to tackle both challenges. EuSalt has signed the EU Commission Register and is keen to be involved in the upcoming consultations on health and environment.
What the Chiefs Say is a new public affairs platform designed for senior executives from leading organizations to voice their policies and priorities. In this first issue, business leaders present their expectations and concerns on the direction of European policymaking to the incoming European Commission and the new European Parliament.
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Over 150 think tanks and universities across Europe contribute authors and ideas to Europe’s World. This section showcases their own publications and reports and is also a bulletin board for their upcoming events.
What do YOU think are the key policy problems that Europe must resolve? What ideas need a Europe-wide airing? This section is open to your contributions.