Brussels: Continued progress was observed at the second Agriculture and Fisheries Council under the Cyprus Presidency, according to a statement on Monday by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, following the conclusion of the Council's meetings.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Minister highlighted the recent crises in Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus as examples of the growing pressures facing farmers and rural communities. She emphasized the need for coordinated action and solidarity and announced a dedicated discussion at the March Agriculture and Fisheries Council on managing responses to natural disasters and animal diseases. This initiative aims to ensure stronger support for farmers and rural communities.
Dr. Panayiotou noted that the council discussions focused on strengthening food security to enhance the EU's strategic autonomy. The session aimed to support the agricultural sector, ensure fair protection for farmers in the food supply chain, and reinforce the EU's leadership in promoting global food security.
The Minister emphasized that the proposal for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027 is a cornerstone of the Cyprus Presidency's efforts. She mentioned the importance of forming a common understanding of how CAP national recommendations can shape a coherent and ambitious agricultural policy post-2027. These recommendations are expected to guide national and regional partnership plans, ensuring competitive equality while considering specific regional needs.
She further explained that the recommendations should address key CAP challenges such as farm income, competitiveness, generational renewal, climate performance, and access to innovation and digitalization. The recommendations are intended to be strategic and non-binding, offering policy guidance while maintaining flexibility and proportionality.
The second agenda item involved evaluating the Unfair Trading Practices Directive, as published on December 1, 2027. The Minister noted that imbalances in bargaining power still expose farmers and small suppliers to unfair practices. Strengthening the position of primary producers in the supply chain is viewed as essential for securing farm incomes, aligning with CAP objectives.
Dr. Panayiotou highlighted the strategic importance of the EU's leadership in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) amidst geopolitical tensions and climate shocks. She advocated for strengthening EU-FAO cooperation to prioritize global food security.
Looking toward the leadership change in mid-2027, she pointed out that it has been over 50 years since a European held the FAO Director-General position. She argued for a European candidate, emphasizing the EU's significant contributions to the FAO and the potential success with timely preparation and strategic coordination.
The Minister concluded by describing the day as productive and emphasized the link between strategic autonomy and the Union's ability to feed its citizens, protect farmers, and act confidently internationally. She affirmed the Cyprus Presidency's commitment to collaborating with member states and the Commission to achieve progress on all agenda items.