The European Commission, taking into account the Versailles Declaration and the results of the recent meeting of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers, has today issued a Communication on food security and strengthening the resilience of food systems both within and outside the EU. It is seen as particularly important that the EU is taking an active role in addressing the problems arising in relation to ensuring food security following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Communication includes immediate support and humanitarian assistance measures in Ukraine.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (MARD) welcomes the fact that the text includes immediate and medium-term measures to ensure food security and resilience of food systems. It is of the utmost importance that the single food market operates efficiently and transparently, with healthy competition rules and with increased sensitivity in dealing with problems of trafficking and speculation during this critical period.
The measures proposed by the European Commission include the use of the European Food Aid Programme for the most deprived, the activation of the €500 million Crisis Fund to support farmers, the possibility of state support for primary sector enterprises and actions to support farmers in the food sector. It is recalled that since January 2020, the Government has implemented measures and provided compensation with a total budget of €55 million to support Cypriot farmers to overcome the effects of the pandemic and to cope with damages suffered for various reasons to their farms. In the same way, the Government is determined to support our farmers in this difficult period. The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Mr. Costas Kadis has already asked the competent services of the Ministry to elaborate measures to support livestock farmers, on the basis of the framework established by the European Commission's communication, in order to present specific proposals before the Council of Ministers as soon as possible.
Finally, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development welcomes the fact that the EU's ambitious environmental objectives through the Green Deal, the Farm to Plate Strategy and the Biodiversity Strategy are part of the solution by ensuring environmental sustainability and environmentally friendly agricultural production.
(IK)
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