The work developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment over the last five years serves the vision set by the Ministry, namely to make Cyprus more sustainable and greener, through the implementation of the principles of sustainable development in the agricultural sector, the integrated protection of the environment and the sustainable management of natural resources.
In the field of rural development, the Ministry's actions focused on improving the conditions under which our farmers operate, increasing their income and making the agricultural sector more competitive and environmentally friendly. Through the Rural Development Programme (RDP), more than €180 million has been allocated to the agricultural sector for these purposes. The recent decision to include farmers among the beneficiaries of the virtual offsetting system and to finance, through the PAA, the installation of photovoltaic panels in the agricultural sector is also considered important. Another EUR 240 million was made available to farmers as extensification subsidies, thus improving their income. Significant support was also given to the wine sector with funds amounting to €23 million, which helped Cypriot wines to excel in international competitions.
In the agriculture and livestock sector, the Ministry's actions contributed both to the management of the successive crises that hit the Cypriot economy more broadly and to the exploitation of the competitive advantage offered by the unique Cypriot products. The registration of halalouli as a Protected Designation of Origin product, after decades of efforts, is considered extremely important. Already, the results of this development seem to be very encouraging. The second most important agricultural export product of Cyprus, the "red potato", is also expected to be registered as a Product of Geographical Indication, since the relevant application was recently published at national level and will be followed by an application to the European Commission.
The Government stood by the agricultural world during the successive crises created by the coronavirus pandemic and the effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The amounts provided, through targeted programmes to support farmers most affected by these crises, amounted to EUR 50 million.
In the agricultural sector, a number of important reforms and measures were implemented to modernise the institutional framework governing agricultural activity. The most important of these were the adoption of the law to tackle unfair commercial practices in the agricultural supply chain, which has already been implemented; the law submitted to Parliament to regulate the operation of farmers' markets, which reduces the price gap between producers and consumers; the bill for the establishment of the Cypriot label, which will give added value to Cypriot products; the abolition of the Agricultural Insurance Organisation and the creation of a new risk management system, with which the To this end, a number of new laws were revised or created and support was given to animal welfare organisations, which carry out important and commendable work and are considered by the Ministry as stable partners.
In the field of fisheries, marine research and blue development, the Ministry's efforts focused on the economic and social well-being of Cyprus' fisheries sector, in a clean, healthy and productive marine environment. Through the Sea Operational Programme 2014-2020, a total of €33 million was made available and this amount is expected to increase up to €53 million with the completion of ongoing projects. To support aquaculture, which has seen significant growth in recent years, the construction of a new, modern port infrastructure at Pentakomo has started, with an estimated cost of €35 million. At the same time, a number of fishing shelters were upgraded in order to provide safe docking for professional fishermen.
In the field of water policy, the Ministry's activities focused on meeting water needs in a sustainable manner and ensuring the quality and protection of water resources and the environment. To this end, major water development projects worth a total of EUR 400 million have been implemented or are in progress, financed by the Cohesion Fund, the Recovery and Resilience Plan and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, as well as the State Budget. At the same time, the planning, design and promotion of the implementation of additional projects, with a total value of more than 865 million euros, have started.
In the field of environment, an important development is the decision to streamline and upgrade the management framework of environmental issues, through the creation of the new General Directorate for Environment under the Ministry. In the past five years, the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Cyprus was approved and started to be implemented, with a time horizon of 2030 and a budget of about €30 million. After decades of discussions, the implementation of the Sustainable Development Plan of the Akamas National Forest Park was also started, with an estimated value of around €44 million. At the same time, efforts are continuing for the publication of the Akamas Local Plan. A major effort has also been made to complete the NATURA 2000 network in Cyprus, with the inclusion of eight new sites in the network and the extension of four of the existing sites in the network. In addition, a National Action Plan for the biological control of rodents was developed, which aims to reduce the use of rodenticides through the use of anthropogenic insecticides and to protect biodiversity. Already the quantities of rodenticides used in Cyprus have been reduced by almost half.
Given climate change, the Ministry has addressed the major challenge of protecting forests from fires through a comprehensive plan. This planning included strengthening in aviation and ground-based forest firefighting assets, implementing vegetation management plans and creating new infrastructure, such as the new fairway in the Mammari-Kokkinotrimithia area for firefighting aircraft.
A number of activities of the Ministry were related to tackling climate change, which is an urgent need for Cyprus, since on the one hand it is located in a region that is particularly affected and on the other hand it has to meet the ambitious targets set at European level. In this context, a National Plan for Energy and Climate was developed and Cyprus' long-term strategy for low greenhouse gas emission growth towards a zero emission economy in 2050 was adopted. The "Planting for Climate" programme was also implemented, through which tens of thousands of seedlings were provided by the Forestry Department to organised groups and individuals. More than 240 scientists participated in this initiative, under the coordination of the Cyprus Institute, and their recommendations, in the form of an action plan, were adopted at a conference of leaders of the region, which was held in Egypt in 2022.
In the field of waste management, a new Municipal Waste Management Plan 2022 - 2028 was adopted, which includes 65 measures, with a budget of more than 80 million euros. A number of waste management projects have already started to be implemented, with a time horizon of 2027. The legislative framework for the management of municipal waste has also been modernised and the process of implementing the "Pay as I Throw" programme has started.
In addition, an improved legislative and institutional framework for the more efficient and effective use of recoverable aggregates resulting from the treatment of construction and demolition waste has been promoted, in the context of the principles of the circular economy.
In the field of meteorology, the network of automatic meteorological observation stations is being continuously modernised, while the meteorological equipment infrastructure in support of air navigation has been upgraded in order to optimise flight safety.
Finally, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment leaves as a legacy to the next government three EU approved tools.
- Cyprus' Strategic Plan for the new Common Agricultural Policy (2023-2027) with a budget of €454 million.
- The Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Operational Programme 2021-2027, with a budget of €54.7 million euros.
(OP/EIFP)
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