Brussels, 24 November 2016 At an event hosted this morning by the European Economic & Social Committee, FoodDrinkEurope launched its “Small scale, big impact” project, highlighting the key role Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises play in Europe’s food and drink sector.

Commissioner Hogan welcomed the participants and SME representatives who presented their products and shared their experience with policy-makers.

“9 in 10 food and drink companies in Europe are SMEs”, explained Mella Frewen, Director General of FoodDrinkEurope. “They are present from the very North to the deepest South and represent not only tradition and know-how but also innovation and local employment. It was essential for us to seize the opportunity of the SME Week to put them in the spotlight”

Europe’s food and drink SMEs represent half of the sector’s turnover (49.5%) and almost 63% of its employment. They are therefore a crucial actor in our economy. The “Small scale, big impact” project is supported by a website which presents individual companies from various Member States and sectors, who share their experience, challenges and successes.

The project will promote further dialogue with food and drink SMEs and help ensure that their preoccupations and needs are taken into consideration as part of a European sector policy.

The launch will be followed this afternoon by a roundtable with the contributing SMEs, relevant Commission services and national and sector associations representatives, held at FoodDrinkEurope premises.