HUNGERGAMES I BRYSSEL En analys av FoodDrinkEuropes lobbyverksamhet i EU, med fokus på Farm to Fork-strategin

Abstract

This thesis examines the conflict of interest between commercial actors in the food industry and public health policy, focusing on the propossed introduction of harmonized food labelling within the EU. The study applies Entman’s (1993) framing theory to provide a more nuanced perspective than existing research, which has primarly analysed food labelling and industry strategies through a corporate political activity perspective. The analysis is based on a qualitative content analysis of FoodDrinkEurope’s response to the EU Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy. FoodDrinkEurope is a major trade association that has opposed the mandatory harmonisation food labelling proposed by the EU Commission. This thesis explores how the organisation justify and constructs its arguments through two research questions (1) How does FoodDrinkEurope argue in it’s response to the European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy? and (2) How are these arguments framed, that is, how are the arguments presented and defined? The findings show that FoodDrinkEurope reframes the strategy from a public health initiative into a matter of costs, efficiency and ompetivieness. The organisation also shifts responsibility by questioning scientific evidence in order to dimish their own responsability. The primary frame emphasises market and economic arguments, contrasting with the public health initiative formulated by the Commission.