Brussels:Cyprus is urging the European Union for coordinated support to tackle the increasing costs of energy and fertilisers, as stated by Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Christos Senekis, upon his arrival at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting.

According to Cyprus News Agency, Minister Senekis emphasized the necessity for EU assistance in addressing these heightened costs. He highlighted the meeting's focus on significant issues affecting European agriculture, including the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027. Senekis pointed out the major challenges faced by farmers, such as climate change, elevated production costs, and animal diseases, asserting that substantial EU support is crucial for overcoming these issues.

Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, leading the Council under Ireland's EU presidency, outlined the discussions' framework. He stressed the importance of solidarity with Ukraine, which remains a key theme of the presidency, and noted the participation of Ukraine's minister for agrarian policy and food in the meeting.

Regarding the post-2027 CAP, Heydon stated that Council members are unified in the need for a well-funded policy to support farmers' incomes, food production roles, and environmental contributions. He aims for a partial general approach by the October Council meeting, contingent on member states' cooperation, underlining that financial stability is necessary for environmental sustainability.

Ministers plan to discuss the fertiliser action plan, targeting resilience in EU supply chains and reducing input costs for farmers. They will also address the effects of drought and severe weather on food production, involving Commission support and inter-member state assistance. Heydon remarked on the significance of insurance, noting that a single crisis could deplete the agricultural crisis reserve.