Filenews 12 February 2024
Many were surprised to see hundreds of tractors flooding EU cities, but the farmers' mobilizations were not a lightning bolt in the sky as they believe that their survival is at stake (an issue that Cypriot farmers also face), with Green MP Charalambos Theopemptou submitting a "recipe" for their support in order to face the promoted policies and challenges.
Theopemptou believes that in order for farmers to survive the increase in energy, inflation, climate change, unfair competition, new EU policies, etc., it is imperative that the Cypriot government implement measures, including the following:
Operation of regional farmers' markets, exclusion of merchants from urban street markets and enrichment with other items (handicrafts, food, etc.), implementation of legislation on unfair commercial competition, promotion of the "buy Cypriot" policy, utilization of treated wastewater water, purchase of biological products by the government for (army, hospitals, etc.).
More specifically, the Green MP notes the following:
1. Farmers have long called for regional farmers' markets, particularly at strategic points on main roads leading to cities.
2. Urban farmers' markets had to increase and merchants were not entitled to have points of sale.
3. The operation of specialized farmers' markets regularly and in all cities e.g. for jewellery, handicrafts, food and "Food Markets" helps a lot to increase the incomes of farmers and young people in general.
4. The legislation on unfair trade competition in agricultural products has been passed, but does not appear to be implemented.
5. Buy Cypriot: No effort was made by the government to help producers promote and label Cypriot products. I know where bananas and apples came from in supermarkets but no Cypriot products are labelled.
6. Green Contracts: Based on a provision in green contracts, the state can buy organic products through the bidding process. Imagine, says Mr. Theopemptou, the quantities and variety of products/foods that the state buys all year round for the army, hospitals and prisons. The problem, however, is that here too, while the legislation on cooperatives was passed, the government did nothing to help producers of tomatoes, vegetables, etc. to organize. Thus, for example, when a hospital tendered for organic products, no organic producer could submit a tender because it did not have such large quantities on its own.
7. Water: Our sewage systems produce huge amounts of treated wastewater that could easily be disposed of in agriculture. However, large quantities end up in the sea or elsewhere, and the government had to build storage tanks and pipelines to transport water to farmers for crops, such as fodder crop production.
8. Grazing: The problem of weeds near forest areas and the risk of fire transmission can easily be solved by paying farmers to graze their animals on specific routes as is done abroad. There will be a benefit for both forests and livestock farmers.
9. Continuous training of farmers for new techniques and organic farming and provision of facilities to cottage industries for food production since the provisions of the HCCP currently in force are prohibitive. Furthermore, to provide low-interest loans and microloans, to create a platform for direct sales from the farmer to the consumer, to install photovoltaics and to support the establishment of Energy Communities. At the same time, donation of soil improver – compost and much more should be made available.
10. The new directive that is now being discussed in the EU, known as the "Breakfast Directive", will help if it is properly implemented, which means that the public must be informed (also in Cyprus), given that products such as honey, juices, jams, etc. should contain clear labelling with country of origin and nutritional information such as sugar percentage, etc.
Mr. Theopemptou indicates that all the above measures are almost zero cost and one simply needs to show interest in order to take concrete actions.
He notes the warnings that after 2030 difficult days are coming for food production, so for the good not only of farmers but also of consumers, organization is required by all involved.
Regarding the main reaction of farmers in the EU, Theopemptou observes that it focuses on the policy known as Farm to Fork – which is part of the Green Deal.
The objectives of this policy are, as the Green Member says, to make the distribution of profits in food production fairer, healthier food and more environmentally friendly.
Its main provisions are:
1. Reduce the use of pesticides, fertilizers and antibiotics.
2. Increase the production of organic (organic) products.
3. Improving animal welfare on farms.
4. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities and protect agriculture from climate change.
5. Measures to increase farmers' incomes to compensate for the measures.
As Mr. Theopemptou observes, reducing the use of pesticides is the providence that provokes the most reactions. Farmers believe that reducing the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and antibiotics will greatly limit their production and therefore their incomes.
This reaction was anticipated in the discussions in the EU and that is why the provision for measures to increase the incomes of farmers and livestock breeders was included, although it seems that they have not been implemented or have not been implemented to the extent that farmers are supported, which is also the case in Cyprus.
