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Questions and answers on the EU Stockpiling Strategy
Why does the EU need a Stockpiling Strategy?
Stockpiling is a crucial aspect of the EU's crisis preparedness. It is a practical measure to have essential supplies at hand at all times.
A coordinated EU-wide approach can ensure the continuous availability of the goods in all Member States during a crisis situation, avoid competition between them and reduce costs for them, their businesses and citizens.
The EU is experiencing increasing geopolitical tensions, the wide-reaching impacts of climate change, and hybrid and cyber threats. These challenges affect the EU's relationships worldwide, particularly concerning supply chains and the availability of essential goods.
This strategy adopts a cross-sectoral and cross-border approach, focusing on areas where EU action brings the most added value.
Crises and threats know no borders, making an adequate preparation at EU-level only more relevant. We are also one Single Market, with highly integrated value and supply chains. Disruptions in the availability of critical materials or technologies can have an immediate whole-of-market effect.
For the preparedness of the EU, it is crucial to have a comprehensive, shared analysis among all relevant stakeholders, across sectors and borders, and to coordinate efforts to prepare and respond quickly and effectively.
Therefore, an EU-wide approach is needed to complement and support Member States' efforts.
What types of crises is the EU preparing for?
The EU is preparing for a range of risks and threats, both natural and human-induced. These include:
- Natural disasters: Floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and extreme weather events heightened by climate change.
- Human-induced disasters and health emergencies: Industrial accidents, technological failures, and pandemics.
- Hybrid threats: Cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and sabotage of critical infrastructure.
- Geopolitical crises: Armed conflicts, including potential aggression against Member States.
What are the key areas of the strategy?
The EU Stockpiling Strategy focuses on improving access to essential goods and critical resources across the EU through enhanced collaboration with Member States. Key areas include:
- Emergency Supplies: Essential equipment and materials for responding to disasters (such as tents, blankets and water purification kits).
- Medical Countermeasures: Vaccines, medicines, and equipment for health emergencies.
- Critical Raw Materials: Resources vital for industry and strategic autonomy.
- Energy Equipment: Components to maintain energy security (such as power generators and high-voltage equipment).
- Agricultural and Water Security: Potential measures against food and water shortages in crises.
Is large-scale stockpiling realistic?
The strategy doesn't aim to stockpile vast quantities of every essential good. Instead, it assesses needs and adopts a comprehensive approach, covering anticipation, supply chain monitoring, and deployment. It focuses on better coordination among Member States, the private sector, and military efforts.
The strategy moves from a reactive to a proactive approach, using EU-level stockpiling only when it's the most efficient solution to ensure essential goods during crises.
Why is civil-military cooperation included?
In times of crises, such as during extreme weather events, civilian authorities often rely on military support. Similarly, the military often depends on civilian resources in dealing with threats like hybrid attacks. Strengthening civil-military cooperation can improve efficiency in stockpiling, transport, and logistics for all crises.
Is this strategy expensive?
The strategy focuses on strategic planning to ensure that essential goods are available and ready during crises in a cost-effective manner. It encourages EU solidarity to avoid costly supply disruptions. Strategies that encourage private sector cooperation, such as tax incentives and guarantee schemes, will be developed and shared among Member States.
How will the Strategy affect existing agricultural coordination mechanisms?
The Strategy builds on existing instruments like the European Food Security Crisis preparedness and response Mechanism (EFSCM), recognised as a model of good practice. The Strategy calls for its further deepening and operationalisation to improve information exchange, transparency, and solidarity in stockpiling among Member States, stakeholders, and EU institutions.
Rather than replacing sectoral mechanisms, the Strategy seeks to integrate them into a broader EU preparedness framework, ensuring coherence while maintaining sector-specific expertise.
For more information:
Communication on Stockpiling Strategy