Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Costas Kadis participated in the extraordinary informal meeting of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers, which took place online on March 2, 2022.
During the teleconference, short and long-term measures to address the negative impact on the agri-food sector due to the conflict in Ukraine were discussed. It was noted that the EU faces significant immediate challenges, as both Russia and Ukraine are leading exporters of cereals and oilseeds, with Ukraine being an important EU supplier of these goods.
In the new context, the EU should make efforts to increase production of these goods, both for its member countries and for its partners. At the same time, it became clear that a particularly important aspect in dealing with the crisis is the adequate supply of food and seeds to Ukraine and the assurance of its food security.
In his intervention, Mr. Kadis expressed Cyprus' support to the Ukrainian people, as well as the country's readiness for practical solidarity. In addition, the Minister pointed out that Cyprus is almost entirely dependent on imports of cereals and raw materials for animal feed and fertilizers and the increase in their prices recorded in 2021 has created extremely difficult situations in the agricultural sector, especially in the livestock sector.
Mr. Minister called on the European Commission to formulate a specific framework for the implementation of support measures for the affected sectors, while ensuring the sufficiency of raw materials throughout the EU, especially in island Member States facing more severe difficulties in the supply chain.
(MB/SX)
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