The need for the European Union to take immediate decisions to support European producers affected by international developments and rising production costs was highlighted by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras, speaking at the meeting of the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers of the European Union in Brussels.

As the Minister stressed, the primary sector is facing a new period of complex challenges, as geopolitical developments, such as the war in the Middle East, directly affect the real cost of production for European farmers.

“We face a number of new challenges for the primary sector. International developments directly affect the cost of production for all European farmers. It is clear that decisions need to be taken at European level in order to support the primary sector as a whole, especially in this difficult situation”, he said.

At the same time, Mr. Tsiaras in his statements highlighted the importance of the protection of products with geographical indication and designation of origin, especially in view of the new major trade agreements of the European Union.

As he pointed out, Greece has 121 products with recognized identity in these categories, which makes it crucial to ensure strong mechanisms for their protection in the international market.

He also made special reference to the challenges facing the fisheries sector, with rising energy costs being a key issue for the sustainability of European fishermen. The Minister underlined that targeted European planning is needed to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of European fisheries.

Finally, Mr. Tsiaras also referred to the challenges posed by zoonoses, stressing that their treatment requires coordinated European action, as well as a comprehensive planning that will strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the European primary sector, in view of the new programming period.

ELC: Urgent need to reduce administrative burdens and support agricultural production

The issue of the impact of the international crisis on agricultural production was also addressed by the ministers of the EPP, which met this morning under the joint chairmanship of Kostas Tsiaras and his Finnish counterpart Sari Essayah.

In particular, during the meeting it was underlined that in light of the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which affect supply chains – especially through the increase in fertilizer prices – it is urgent to reduce administrative burdens and provide practical and timely solutions with clear and enforceable rules.”