-
.
- Ελληνικά
The Director General of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mr. Andreas Gregoriou participated in the informal Council of Agriculture Ministers of the European Union (EU), which took place between 7-9 April in Genk and Hasselt, Belgium, in the framework of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU. During the discussion, Ministers stressed the importance of ensuring protein sufficiency in the EU, both for human consumption and for the livestock sectors. They noted the need to improve the EU's resilience to crises and issues related to protein production and imports. They noted that policy orientations for the future of protein in the EU should be in line with the broader objectives set for the EU for food production, the economy, society and the environment.
In his intervention, Mr Gregoriou stressed the importance of a holistic approach to protein production and consumption. He noted the need to ensure protein sufficiency within the EU and to support food security with production methods that are compatible with the promotion of sustainable food systems both within and outside the EU. He referred to the difficulties faced by Cyprus, as a country heavily dependent on the import of protein feed, noting the need to ensure a stable supply of quality protein feed in the EU. He highlighted the importance of research and innovation in the field of protein production and the need to create synergies between EU policies that will multiply the social, economic and environmental benefits for the EU and support agricultural production. He stressed that the use of new technologies should always be based on consumer health and should not lead to monopolies in food production. In this context, he said that funding is needed to adopt solutions that are designed and tailored to the specificities of the Member States in order to achieve the best possible results. He also noted the need to continuously assess the progress in ensuring open strategic autonomy in the protein sector in order to take timely corrective action in a geopolitical environment characterised by instability.
As part of the programme of the informal meeting, the Ministers visited research centres and agricultural facilities. During the meetings they had the opportunity to learn about innovative applications of precision agriculture in fruit production, development of new varieties and crop pest and disease warning systems. They also visited a model broiler cow breeding unit.
(EN/MS)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
Source[/P]
