Tuesday saw the conclusion of an informal meeting of the EU Ministers of Agriculture, organised by Denmark as part of its Presidency of the EU Council The Ministers discussed how new solutions could strengthen the competitiveness of European agriculture, how to accelerate the green transition in the agri-food sector and the generational renewal.

Poland’s opinion in the discussion during the informal meeting in Copenhagen

Minister Stefan Krajewski stressed that farmers expected stability and regulatory predictability. In his opinion, the Common Agricultural Policy post-2027 should be based on simple and sustainable solutions. The priority should be to reward farmers for taking pro-environmental and pro-climate measures, instead of imposing further obligations.

The head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture pointed out that the EU was at that time self-sufficient in terms of food and it was necessary to strive for maintaining that situation. – Maintaining the production capacity necessary for food security requires ensuring the profitability of production, the generational renewal in agriculture and care for the fertility of soils used for agricultural purposes – said Stefan Krajewski.

As far as the issue of green transition was concerned, Minister Krajewski stressed that Poland expected to improve access to biological plant protection products. Reform and simplification of procedures are required so that farmers may use more quickly the solutions that reduce chemical pressure and support transition.

– Poland supports ambitious climate and environmental goals, but the transition must go hand in hand with maintaining the production capacity and competitiveness of the agricultural sector. Only thus approach will ensure that European agriculture will be a pillar of food security and an attractive prospect for future generations – highlighted the head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture.

Discussion in the forum of the EU Ministers of Agriculture

The EU Ministers consistently stressed the importance of investments in the agri-food sector and the potential of biotechnological solutions as regards strengthening crop resilience, reducing the environmental impact and creating new economic opportunities for farmers. The importance of better law-making was also highlighted in the discussion. The regulations must work in practice and support innovation and investments in the agri-food sector. This will allow to provide access to affordable, safe and nutritious food. The Ministers also discussed the scope of amendments to the EU legal framework required to provide farmers with better access to the necessary tools to implement the green transition.

– In the era of new changes in global trade, the EU must provide the agri-food sector with the best possible conditions to compete on a global scale and export its products – stressed Jacob Jensen, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark.

Ministers on a field visit

As part of the accompanying programme of the informal AGRIFISH Council, the Ministers visited Novenesis, Aggersvold Estate and the farm in Søgaard. Those visits were an opportunity to discuss the adaptation of the European agricultural sector to future challenges. New solutions that may support the green transition and offer new solutions to ensure the competitiveness of European farmers were also discussed.