A meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, which will take place in Brussels today, Monday, 30 March, is expected to focus on issues concerning the resilience and competitiveness of the European agriculture and fisheries sectors, in an environment of increasing geopolitical and economic pressures.
The meeting will be chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus, Maria Panayiotou, while the European Commission will be represented by the Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, Costas Kadis, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, and the Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall.
A senior EU diplomat has said in view of the meeting that Europe is once again going through a period described by significant challenges, which are deeply affecting communities active in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. According to the diplomat, high and volatile energy costs, combined with rapidly shifting global trade dynamics, are putting pressure on production, profitability and the ability for long-term planning.
According to the diplomat, the Council is expected to begin with an exchange of views on the energy transition in fisheries and aquaculture in the European Union. As noted, this transition is considered critical for the social and economic resilience of coastal communities and is linked to the promotion of cleaner forms of energy, the modernisation of vessels and the development of sustainable business models. The guidance of Ministers is expected to contribute to shaping the Commission’s forthcoming roadmap within the framework of the Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture.
At the same time, Ministers will examine the progress achieved one year after the adoption of Vision 2040. More specifically, according to the senior EU diplomat, discussions will focus on strengthening resilience and competitiveness, as well as on adapting the European food system to recent developments.
The agenda also includes a presentation by the Commission on agri-food trade-related issues, which will be followed by an exchange of views among ministers. The Ministers’ input is expected to contribute to determining the next steps regarding safeguarding the sector’s stability and strategic resilience.
(Source: CNA)
