EU ministers discuss new technologies for more sustainable farming

The meeting, held as part of the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU in the Palacio de Congresos of the Andalusian city, was chaired by Spain’s acting Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Luis Planas, and was attended by the European Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski.

EU industry leaders presented their ideas and proposals on which techniques and solutions they consider most effective and preferential in the fight against climate change, and for better food production. “We will certainly refer to the Cordoba debate as a turning point,” Planas said after the meeting. He stressed that “the supply of safe, nutritious food of sufficient quality and quantity is a global challenge for the whole planet” because, according to UN forecasts, the world’s population will reach 9.7 billion people by 2050.

Another topic debated was the situation facing rural workers because, according to Minister Planas, agricultural sustainability cannot be understood without considering farm profitability. Part of the session was therefore devoted to discussing the options available and the need to increase agricultural productivity, so that the situation and livelihood of farmers and livestock breeders is not only maintained but improved.

In this line, during the working sessions, ministers also agreed on the need to make financial mechanisms available to farmers to invest in new technologies, and for training in their use. In particular, the role of EU funds from the Horizon Europe programme and the measures detailed in the CAP strategic plans were discussed. This will triple the number of innovative projects in this period to help bring about the digital and innovative transformation.