Strengthening prevention, preparedness and effective risk response is now a strategic priority for the Common Agricultural Policy and the European Union at large, said the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development, Maria Panayiotou, at the opening of the Informal Meeting of EU Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries in Nicosia.
Ms. Panayiotou noted that the Cyprus Presidency of the EU, recognizing the increasing intensity and frequency of risks affecting the agri-food sector in Europe, chose to set risk management in European agriculture as a key topic of the informal meeting.
As she mentioned, these risks are mainly linked to the climate crisis, animal diseases, market disturbances and growing geopolitical instability. These developments, she said, directly affect agricultural income, the resilience of rural areas, as well as the security and food sufficiency of the European Union.
"Strengthening prevention, preparedness and effective risk response is now a strategic priority, both within the framework of the common agricultural policy and more broadly at the European level," she noted.
Policy debate on management tools
The Minister said that the Cyprus Presidency seeks a meaningful political exchange of views at a high level on how to further strengthen risk management tools, for the benefit of European farmers and the resilience of agri-food systems.
In preparation for the debate, the presidency released a note entitled 'Actions on Agri-Climate Risk Management in the European Union', which includes two guiding questions
The first concerns the degree of effectiveness of the existing risk management tools and crisis response mechanisms of the CAP, as well as the proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy after 2027, in supporting farmers in the face of more frequent and intense risks.
The second concerns additional actions that could be taken at European Union level, beyond the framework of the CFP, to strengthen the Union's capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond to systemic risks and crises affecting the agricultural sector.
"Safety is a key pillar for the farmer"
Earlier, upon her arrival at the Conference Centre in Nicosia, Ms. Panayiotou stated that security is a key pillar for every farmer, so that he can plan his entry and activity in the primary sector, but also to ensure his production.
As she said, the risks and challenges faced by the primary sector are particularly complex, from climatic conditions to animal diseases and geopolitical developments.
The Minister underlined that Europe must be autonomous and open to the world, with food security as a key element for achieving this goal.
She added that the discussion in Nicosia has an important role in shaping the crisis management tools that the new common agricultural policy should have, so that every farmer can continue to produce.
Greece: Coordination on animal diseases
The Minister of Rural Development and Food of Greece, Margaritis Schinas, said that the summit will discuss ways in which European agriculture can become more resilient to crises, as well as the future of the common agricultural policy.
At the bilateral level he said that he will discuss with his Cypriot counterpart ways of better coordination to deal with animal diseases, which are testing both Cyprus and Greece.
Hansen: Need for stability in the rural community
The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Development, Christoph Hansen, said that the situation for the rural population is particularly difficult today, due to the crisis in the Middle East, which has led to skyrocketing fertilizer prices, but also due to increased fuel prices.
He also mentioned that Europe is facing a wide range of animal diseases, including the situation in Cyprus, which makes it necessary to strengthen efforts in the field of biosecurity and risk management.
Hansen noted that climate change is now a permanent reality and its effects are becoming more and more severe. For this reason, he said, insurance and reinsurance systems will also be discussed, in order to mitigate the risks and give greater stability to the agricultural community.
Without predictability and stability, he warned, the next generation will not take up the profession, putting food security at risk.
France: Focus on prevention and infrastructure
France's Minister of Agriculture, Agri-Food and Food, Annie Genevar, said managing the risks posed by climate change is a matter of paramount importance, as many EU countries have been affected by extreme weather events.
As she mentioned, more work is needed in prevention to strengthen resilience and resilience against climate phenomena.
The discussion, she added, is part of the broader context for the future CAP, in which tools should be developed that will allow a more effective response to risks, as well as investments in prevention means. As an example, she cited the Competitiveness Fund, which could finance water storage infrastructure to deal with drought.
Spain: Special fund for climate crises
Spain's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, said Europe is facing two major challenges: the geopolitical crisis linked to the Middle East and the consequences of climate change.
Drought, lack of rainfall, floods and extreme weather events make agri-food production even more complex, he said, highlighting the need for preventive measures, remediation measures and risk management tools.
Mr. Planas stressed that, in the context of EU support after 2027, it is important to separate support for market crises from that for climate crises, through a special fund. He also called for the strengthening of agricultural insurance systems for farmers and livestock breeders at European level.
Finland and Ireland for resilience and continuity
Finland's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Sari Essaya, said that economically healthy farms have greater resilience in the face of different risks.
As he said, various risk management measures need to be considered both within the CAP and beyond, possibly with the contribution of the European Investment Bank.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs of Ireland, Martin Hayton, said that Cyprus has worked in a spirit of cooperation and has given significant direction to the current Presidency.
He noted that Ireland, as the next EU Presidency, is working closely with Cyprus. He added that the coming month is crucial in shaping the future of farmers and fishermen, aiming to protect their incomes and strengthen the resilience of their sectors.
CNA
