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- Ελληνικά
Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Dr Maria Panagiotou participated in the work of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the European Union, which took place today in Luxembourg.
The main topic of the meeting was the continuation of the discussion on how to address the current situation in the agricultural sector. Ministers welcomed the adoption of the European Commission (EC) proposals by the European Parliament (EP) on 24/4/2024. The proposals include provisions for increasing agricultural production and ensuring additional agricultural income, as well as special arrangements for small farms, which will benefit more than 80% of CAP applicants. The Ministers also referred to additional tools for simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and ways to strengthen the position of farmers in the food chain.
In her intervention, Dr Panagiotou welcomed the adoption of the EU proposals by the EP, which were also the position of Cyprus, noting, however, the need for further steps to simplify the CAP. She supported the possibility of providing additional support to farmers through measures to deal with any crisis that may arise, with the possibility of using part of the appropriations for strategic plans. In addition, it noted that, in order to ensure full absorption of EU and public funding of the CAP, there should be flexibility in the reallocation of funds between measures to ensure full absorption for the benefit of farmers. It also supported, together with other Member States, the extension of the Temporary Framework for State Aid until the end of the year. Supporting Germany's initiative together with 13 other Member States, it called for the de minimis threshold under State aid in agriculture to be increased to EUR 50 thousand per single enterprise. He welcomed the actions proposed by the Commission to strengthen the position of farmers in the agri-food chain and noted that Cyprus has already proceeded with local interventions and actions to ensure a fair income for farmers.
During the working lunch, the Ministers had the opportunity to be informed by Professor Strohschneider on the progress of the "Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture in the EU", which is an EU initiative. Dr Panagiotou, highlighting the essential role of farmers in food production and in achieving the EU's environmental objectives, stressed the importance of sufficient and adequate support for agriculture through a simplified institutional framework. Climate change, the Minister noted, makes it imperative that new crisis response tools be put in place immediately, with funding either through new appropriations or by reallocating unspent appropriations. The new CAP must ensure generational succession so as not to jeopardise the EU's food security, as fewer and fewer young people are taking up farming. He also noted the need to fund research and innovation and to promote practices that enhance the sustainability and resilience of agriculture.
On trade-related agricultural issues, ministers were briefed on current developments in the EU's trade relations with third countries in the sector. In the context of the discussion, Dr Panagiotou, supporting efforts to promote these trade agreements, highlighted the need to formulate a balanced framework that enhances food security and ensures the competitiveness of agriculture and the sustainability of EU food systems.
(B]PIO[/B]
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