Luxembourg: The need to support farmers amid rising production costs and broader geopolitical challenges was highlighted by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panayiotou, upon her arrival at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH), taking place today, Monday, in Luxembourg. Dr. Panayiotou emphasized that the Council is convening at a time of real pressure for citizens, particularly farmers, with discussions focused on how the European Union can more effectively support the agricultural sector.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Dr. Panayiotou noted that the first key issue on the agenda is the discussion on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027. She stressed that the talks will center on options related to farmers' income and support for producers, highlighting the need for a resilient CAP. A resilient Common Agricultural Policy, she pointed out, enables farmers to invest, adapt, and continue their production under challenging conditions, with targeted and fair support especially for those who need it most.
The second key issue on the agenda is the market situation, with Dr. Panayiotou addressing the impact of the geopolitical situation on production costs. The Minister emphasized that the continuous rise in production costs, along with increased prices for fertilizers and fossil fuels, is placing a significant burden on farmers. She stated that the goal is to ensure affordable access to key inputs, with particular emphasis on fertilizers.
The third issue on the Council's agenda is wildfires and how agriculture and sustainable forest management can contribute to their prevention. The Minister highlighted that today's discussion is expected to focus on coordination, cooperation, solidarity, and finding concrete solutions at the European level.
'We want our farmers to be able to farm with dignity, we want our rural communities to be resilient, and we want our families to have access to affordable food,' Dr. Panayiotou concluded.