The importance of the availability of sufficient quantities of water in agriculture and the need to take into account local specificities and the increased risks of a reduction in water availability, were stressed by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, who participated in the EU Ministerial Council of Agriculture and Fisheries, which took place in Brussels on Monday.
According to a press release, in the context of the Council’s work, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen presented the European Commission’s Communication on “A Vision for Agriculture and Food”, which sets out actions and policies for the future of the EU agri-food sector with a horizon of 2040.
It is added that Panayiotou, in her intervention welcoming the Commission’s presentation, highlighted in particular the importance of the reference to the Water Resilience Strategy.
In this context, she recalled the joint letter of the MED9 Agriculture Ministers on this issue, stressing the importance of the availability of sufficient quantities of water in agriculture and the need to take into account local specificities and the increased risks of reduced water availability.
On crisis management tools, Panayiotou agreed with the need to review and improve them, but noted that efforts should be made to increase funding within and outside the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for crisis response.
Furthermore, the Agriculture Minister argued that the new CAP should maintain the two-pillar structure, with sufficient financial resources to support EU farmers.
It is noted that during the discussion on the state of the markets, Panayiotou thanked the European Commission and member states for granting €3.5 million in support to Cypriot farmers due to the effects of drought.
She said that for Cyprus the problems, due to production costs and water scarcity, remain, affecting all food production sectors, including the beekeeping sector.
Finally, it is mentioned that the Minister will visit Paris, following an invitation by the French Minister of Agriculture on the occasion of the Paris Agricultural Exhibition. During her visit there, she will participate in a Ministerial meeting to be held on 25 February 2024.
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Source: CNA
