In a joint letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, Commissioner Jessika Roswall and Commissioner Christophe Hansen, the signatories highlighted the importance of healthy freshwater ecosystems for agriculture, food production, and food supply chains across Europe.

The signing parties note that drought, water scarcity, flooding, and declining water quality are already affecting agricultural production and business operations in many parts of Europe.

For companies such as ALDI, which sources food and agricultural products across the continent, resilient freshwater systems are essential not only for long-term supply security, stable sourcing regions, and the resilience of Europe’s food system.

The letter encourages the Commission to focus on effective implementation and enforcement of the existing WFD, which provides a robust and necessary framework for freshwater protection and water resilience, rather than weakening existing standards.

Signed by representatives of ALDI SÜD Group, Coop Switzerland, Migros Group, and SPAR Austria Group, it argues that long-term competitiveness and resilience depend on healthy freshwater ecosystems, predictable regulation, effective management of water-related risks, and a level playing field for businesses operating across the European Single Market.