-
.
- Ελληνικά
The EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council took place on 13 June 2022 in Luxembourg. Cyprus was represented by the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mr. Andreas Grigoriou.
The Council's work focused on the problems faced by EU Member States in relation to the market situation in the light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In his intervention, Mr Grigoriou, after welcoming the measures taken so far by the Commission to address the problems on the agricultural market, called on the Commission to proceed swiftly with the adoption of the new measure on the possibility of further funding for affected farmers from the Rural Development Fund. The impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the increases in fertiliser, feed and fuel prices have significantly squeezed profit margins for producers, he said, noting that the Commission should monitor the situation and take additional measures if necessary. In this context, he referred in particular to the problem of the viability of businesses in the primary sector in Cyprus, which he said was growing. Gregoriou also referred to the issue of facilitating the export of cereals from Ukraine, noting - like other member states - that transport by sea would speed up the whole effort.
The '27' were also briefed on the progress made on the regulation on geographical indications. In his intervention, Mr. Gregoriou stressed the need to add an amendment allowing in exceptional cases the possibility of extending the ten-year transitional period for compliance with geographical indication standards for an additional period of five years. Such an extension would be a useful tool to address any problems hampering the timely implementation of a geographical indication or in cases where the period for its approval far exceeds the normal period, he noted.
During the Council's work, an exchange of views took place on the application of EU sanitary and environmental standards to imported agricultural and agri-food products. In his intervention, Gregoriou said that Cyprus supports the transition to sustainable food systems in a fast and efficient way. After pointing out that the extension of EU standards to third countries is expected to face significant difficulties, he stressed the need for the transition to be gradual, gradual and in line with World Trade Organisation rules. At the same time, Mr Gregoriou said that the specificities recognised for farmers in third countries with regard to the production of their products and pest pressures by the high level European standards also apply to farmers in regions within the EU. In conclusion, the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture pointed out that food security - especially in difficult times like the present one - should be taken into account before decisions affecting trade issues are taken.
In the context of the Council's work, Cyprus supported Croatia's request for support for farmers affected by extreme weather events.
On fisheries issues, the '27' exchanged views on the state of implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy as well as on fishing opportunities for 2023. In his intervention, Mr. Gregoriou, inter alia, underlined the importance of Regional Fisheries Management Organisations in taking measures and cooperation between EU Member States and third countries to ensure a level playing field. In addition, he referred to the burning issue of the full implementation of the landing obligation, especially for mixed fisheries, and noted that alternatives should be found to implement it and thus reduce unwanted catches. In conclusion, Mr Gregoriou referred to the environmental parameters affecting fisheries, stressing the importance of strengthening efforts aimed at mitigating the increasing anthropogenic pressures on the fisheries sector, but also the need to further strengthen the monitoring and control of fishing activities.
(MF/MG/EXP)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
