EU ministers meet in Nicosia to address agricultural and fisheries policy

The informal meeting of EU Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries took place in Nicosia under the Cyprus Presidency. Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou and EU Commissioner for Fisheries Kostas Kadis discussed the evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), noting both its progress since 2013 and the need for further simplification and reduced administrative burdens. Data presented indicated that sustainable stock levels rose from 50% in 2014 to 63%. Simultaneously, ministers focused on agricultural risk management, citing a World Bank study titled 'Solutions for Better Agri-Risk Management in the European Union.' Panayiotou emphasized that prevention is essential to counter risks from the climate crisis, animal diseases, and geopolitical instability. European Commissioner Christoph Hansen highlighted that regional conflicts in the Middle East have increased costs for fertilizers and fuel. The ministers agreed on the strategic necessity of enhancing the resilience of the EU's agri-food sector to ensure long-term food security.