The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mr Petros Xenophontos, attended the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting held yesterday, 20 March 2023, in Brussels.
Initially, the Ministers exchanged views on the new package of measures which includes the transition to a less energy-intensive fisheries and aquaculture sector, the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems and the Common European Fisheries Policy. In his intervention, Mr Xenophontos welcomed the package, noting the efforts made by the Cypriot fleet so far and the challenges related to the implementation of the Green Agreement. Referring to the difficulties of the energy transition, he suggested that efforts should be strengthened. Concluding his intervention, the Minister recalled the serious problems Turkey is creating in the fisheries sector with illegal fishing activities and harassment of Cypriot fishing vessels. The 27 were briefed by the European Commission on the market situation in the EU and the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on food security. Reference was also made to the extension of the agreement on the operation of the Black Sea ports and the proposed measure to mitigate the significant impact on EU farmers in areas neighbouring Ukraine. In his intervention, Mr. Xenophontos noted that in Cyprus the cost of production continues its upward trend, squeezing farmers' welfare margins at the risk of reducing production in the main food sectors. He stressed the need to take immediate, medium and long-term measures to support farmers in all Member States for the production sectors with the greatest problems. He stressed the importance of achieving sustainability in the food production sector, noting the need to make the most efficient use of the agricultural reserve of EU aid.
In the debate on trade-related agricultural issues, the European Commission briefed ministers on the state of play of negotiations with third countries, highlighting the role the EU has to play as a stabilising factor in ensuring global food security and the achievement of environmental objectives, under the present circumstances. Xenophontos stressed the importance of moving to more sustainable food systems, noting that any EU agreement with third countries should be considered on a case-by-case basis to achieve the necessary commitments and consensus among trading partners to achieve common objectives.
In the context of the '27' discussions on the conclusions of the Pigmeat Reflection Group, the Minister stressed the need for further financial incentives to the private sector for more efficient risk management. In addition, he referred to the importance of knowledge sharing and exchange of experience between Member States to enhance the resilience and longevity of the pig meat sector.
In addition to the above, Ministers exchanged views on the agricultural and forestry aspects of the Nature Restoration Regulation. They agreed on the importance of the objectives while stressing the costs and the need to provide maximum flexibility to Member States and possibilities to support farmers and forest managers. Mr Xenophontos pointed out in his intervention the importance of providing more flexibility to Member States in implementing the objectives of the proposal and the need to maintain the balance between social and environmental sustainability for the EU agricultural sector.
The Commission also presented its Communication on the review of the EU Pollinator Initiative which sets out the actions to be taken by the EU and Member States to reverse the decline of pollinators by 2030. Supporting the initiative, the Minister stressed the importance of pollinators for the environment and agricultural production and the need to build on the actions contained in the text of the Communication.
(BG/EHR)
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