-
.
- Ελληνικά
The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mr.Petros Xenophontos, participated in the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the European Union (EU) held today, Monday, 20 November 2023, in Brussels.
In the context of discussing fisheries issues, the Ministers had a first exchange of views on the setting of fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and North Sea, including stocks managed by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) for the coming years and in the Mediterranean and Black Sea for 2024. Mr Xenophontos, in his intervention, welcomed the Presidency's efforts to prepare the annual negotiations in good time and expressed satisfaction with the direction of the Commission's proposals. He also noted Cyprus' commitment to the principles of the Common Fisheries Policy and the renewed "MedFish4Ever" declaration on the objective of achieving maximum sustainable yield on the basis of sound socio-economic balances.
The Minister referred, like Greece, to the problems created in the fisheries sector and marine ecosystems by the spread of invasive alien species in the Mediterranean Sea and the challenge of dealing with them. He further stressed the importance of cooperation in the Mediterranean Sea and the strengthening of control and monitoring of fishing activities to ensure a level playing field, in particular with third countries. In this regard, he underlined the urgent need to tackle illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by third country vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Concerning agriculture, Ministers discussed the political aspects of the proposal for a regulation on plants produced by certain new genomic techniques. The Minister stressed the importance of consumer protection and the harmonious coexistence of plants produced using new genomic techniques with conventional and organic crops. He also noted that in cases where coexistence cannot be ensured due to topographical features and particularities in the Member States (MS), provisions similar to those applicable to genetically modified organisms, i.e. the application of an opt-out, should be applied. Mr Xenophontos pointed out the need for effective protection of small farmers, small genetic improvement houses and small and medium-sized enterprises from the privatisation of genetic resources and the creation of monopolies.
In addition, Cyprus, together with 10 other MS, co-signed the document of France for the partial implementation of the obligations arising from the implementation of Good Agricultural and Environmental Practices (GAEC 8) for 2024.
In addition, Cyprus, together with 10 other MS, co-signed the document of France for the partial implementation of the obligations arising from the implementation of Good Agricultural and Environmental Practices (GAEC 8) for 2024. In the document, France proposes to remove the obligation to set aside land. However, it maintains the implementation of biodiversity-friendly practices, such as the use of nitrogen-fixing crops for 7% of the cultivated area. In his intervention, Mr Xenophontos called on the Commission to examine as soon as possible the possibility of implementing the French proposal, stressing the importance of supporting farmers and food production. Mr Xenophontos referred to the importance of the Conclusions and in providing political direction for the future of the Union's rural areas.
(BAT/AF/MS)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
