EU Agriculture Ministers Discuss Advancing Food Security and Climate Resilience

During an informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers held in Cordoba, the focus was squarely on harnessing new technologies to bolster food security, combat climate change, and enhance profitability in the agricultural sector.

The meeting, which took place as part of Spain’s presidency of the Council of the EU, was chaired by Spain’s acting Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Luis Planas, and attended by European Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski.

EU industry leaders took the opportunity to present their ideas and proposals concerning the most effective and preferred techniques and solutions for addressing climate change and improving food production.
Minister Planas stated, “We will certainly refer to the Cordoba debate as a turning point.” He emphasized that ensuring a supply of safe, nutritious, and high-quality food in sufficient quantity is a global challenge, especially considering the UN’s projections of a global population of 9.7 billion people by 2050.

Addressing the growing need for food security was a central topic of discussion during the meeting, aligning with one of the Spanish presidency’s priorities for its six-month term. As the world’s largest food producer, the EU bears a significant responsibility in tackling the “zero hunger” challenge outlined in the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals.

The disruption caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine has strained global food production and supply chains. The EU’s goal is to strike a balance between increasing food production in terms of both quantity and quality while preserving the environment and biodiversity.

Climate change and its impact on the agri-food sector were also on the agenda. The EU and global agri-food sector face rising temperatures and more frequent extreme events, such as droughts. European decision-makers discussed strategies for dealing with these challenges.

The search for solutions involves the exploration of new technologies that enable more efficient use of water resources, especially in regions facing lower rainfall.

Minister Planas expressed hope that the global vision discussed during the meeting would reconcile food production and environmental preservation while ensuring fair compensation for farmers and livestock breeders to secure the future of rural communities.