Welcome to today's presentation which aims to inform you about the new support programmes for the agricultural sector through the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy for the programming period 2023-2027.
The new Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy, which has recently been adopted by the European Commission, contains actions in parallel with the "Cyprus_tomorrow", of the Resilience Plan, aimed at:
[A](a) Strengthening the competitiveness of the agricultural sector,
[B) ENSURING THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES,
[C) AGE RENEWAL OF THE AGRICULTURAL POPULATION,
[D] Upgrading the services provided in the countryside,
[E] Further technological development of the agricultural sector and the creation of additional jobs.
It is noted that the total amount to be spent on achieving the above objectives during the period in question, both from national and European funds, is expected to amount to EUR 454 million.
A detailed analysis and information on the new Strategic Plan will be provided by the Minister of Agriculture shortly afterwards.
A detailed analysis and information on the new Strategic Plan will be provided by the Minister of Agriculture.
It is indeed with great satisfaction that I note that during the last decade, the European funds of the Common Agricultural Policy have been used by Cyprus to the maximum extent possible, ensuring full absorption of the available funds.
This fact confirms the special interest that the Government has shown and continues to show for farmers, the sustainable development of the countryside and the improvement of the quality of life of its inhabitants.
It is characteristic that during our ten years of government, an amount of more than 750 million euros has been channelled to farmers through the Common Agricultural Policy.
At the same time, we have also implemented a series of national support plans for the rural world, which have been an important support for the efforts of farmers and livestock farmers to cope with the difficult conditions that have arisen in recent years.
By way of example, in connection with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, packages of targeted financial support measures amounting to more than EUR 50 million were approved by the Council of Ministers.
In addition, through the new policy of compensating for the loss of agricultural income through the operation of the Risk Management Fund in the Agricultural Sector, from August 2019 to date, compensation amounting to 32 million euros has been granted to farmers damaged by natural disasters and extreme weather events.
While from 2013 until August 2019, when the insurance plan was revised, around EUR 20 million were granted for the same reasons through the agricultural insurance plan.
In line with EU policies, we have reorganised, improved and modernised the agricultural sector, with actions such as:
- the reform of the sector of risk management in agricultural production, through the aforementioned Risk Management Fund in the Agricultural Sector,
- the legislation to tackle Unfair Commercial Practices in the agri-food supply chain, and
- the legislation to improve the way the Farmers' Markets operate, for the benefit of our farmers.
- The equally important reform to create a farmers' register, so that at last the real beneficiaries will benefit and not, as in the past, the occasional farmers.
Great importance was also attached to the promotion of the uniqueness of Cypriot products, with their inclusion in the lists of geographical indications of the European Union.
In this context, I am particularly pleased that, after decades of efforts, we have managed to obtain the registration of our national agricultural product, haloumi, as a product of Protected Designation of Origin.
A development which has already had a positive impact on the sales of halalouli.
Characteristic of the importance that the Government attaches to the agricultural sector is the inclusion in the National Plan "Cyprus_of Tomorrow", apart from the Common Agricultural Policy, of a significant number of projects and reforms that are expected to have a positive impact on the agricultural activity of our country, with a total value of more than 75 million euros. For example:
- the reform projects of the general water management system worth over €35 million,
- the creation of a livestock waste and animal by-products management unit worth €30 million,
- the genetic improvement programme for Cyprus' sheep and goats worth €5 million, and
- the monitoring and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the agricultural sector worth €4 million.
This does not include annual budget expenditure or money from the Common Agricultural Policy Funds.
The Common Agricultural Policy, which is the first integrated policy implemented in the European Union and takes up more than 30% of its total budget, is not only beneficial for farmers and agricultural production, but positively affects all European citizens.
Parameters such as consumer safety and health, the minimisation of the negative impact of agricultural activity on the environment, the contribution of the agricultural sector to the preservation of biodiversity and the mitigation of climate change are at the core of the new Common Agricultural Policy, with objectives that are being rapidly and effectively adopted by our country.
The resources that will be allocated to the agricultural sector through the new Strategic Plan, as well as through national resources, provide incentives and support to anyone who wishes to engage in agriculture and livestock farming and implement the actions and measures offered.
In this direction, the creation of the register of farmers is also a step in this direction. In this way, the profession of the farmer or livestock farmer is safeguarded.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate and thank all those who contributed to the preparation and approval of the Strategic Plan by the European Union, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and in particular the Department of Agriculture, the Managing Authority of the Strategic Plan, the Cyprus Rural Payments Agency, as well as all the state services involved in its preparation.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all those who contributed to the preparation and approval of the Strategic Plan by the European Union, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and in particular the Department of Agriculture, the Managing Authority of the Strategic Plan, the Cyprus Rural Payments Agency, as well as all the state services involved in its preparation.
I would also like to express my sincere thanks to all the agricultural organisations for their constructive cooperation with the competent Ministry, which ensures that the policies we design are relevant to the real needs of our farming community.
(PM/MB/EXP)
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