Brussels: Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, highlighted on Thursday the challenges and priorities of the discussions regarding fish stocks and the European Commission's proposal for the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). She emphasized the necessity of placing simplification and innovation at the core of the new CAP to ensure European agriculture remains resilient and sustainable.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Minister stressed that the Council discussed fishing opportunities for various seas, aiming for a balanced political agreement to ensure stability for the 2026 fishing season. She highlighted the importance of fishing quotas for Cyprus and expressed a commitment to working constructively towards positive outcomes.
Panayiotou also addressed the significance of innovation and simplification in shaping the future CAP, pointing out that farmers need access to new technologies and financial tools under more flexible rules. This approach would facilitate faster innovation, ensuring generational renewal and sustainability in agriculture.
She further remarked that the CAP should be simpler to implement and quicker to innovate, which in turn would secure food and future-proof agriculture. The Minister emphasized that policies must lead the way for farmers to drive the green and digital transition.
Panayiotou thanked the outgoing Danish Presidency and assured that Cyprus, as the incoming Presidency, is committed to fostering cooperation and achieving progress. She reiterated the importance of providing farmers access to innovation while simplifying procedures to allow them more productive time in the field.
The Common Agricultural Policy is acknowledged as a crucial pillar for food security, social cohesion, and farmers' income. Panayiotou stressed the importance of continuing the dialogue on the proposal for the new CAP to meet farmers' needs, underscoring it as a main priority for the Cypriot Presidency.
She reiterated that the CAP is a strategic instrument for food security and agricultural income stability, and one of the key priorities for the Cypriot Presidency will be to continue negotiations on the proposed CAP package to identify common landing zones.
In conclusion, she noted that the next Council will convene in January, where the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency will be formally presented to the Ministers.