Luis Planas: Research and innovation are strategic tools for efficient food production
Description
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has reiterated today that research, innovation and the application of new technologies are “essential strategic tools” that will allow more efficient food production, that consumes fewer resources, and that generates greater added value and better quality of life in rural areas.
The minister, who spoke today in Brussels at the EU AgriResearch Conference 2023, dedicated to “knowledge, innovation and skills for sustainable horizons”, has indicated that the promotion and promotion of new technologies in the agri-food sector will be one of the priorities of the Spanish presidency of the European Union in the second half of the year, since innovation is key to responding to what has been defined as “the main challenge facing the food system on the planet, how to produce more food with less consumption of natural resources and in a more sustainable way.”
For this reason, the Council of Ministers of Agriculture to be held in Córdoba between September 3 and 5 will focus on new technologies as a tool for more resilient agriculture in the face of climate change. The minister has stated that the European Union cannot be left behind in this area in the face of the push of countries like the United States or China.
The minister has specified that the application of new technologies in agri-food production goes beyond those related to information and communication or digitalization, and also includes the development of new genomic techniques that offer very precise and genetic editing possibilities. controlled. He has cited as an example the development of crop varieties that are more resistant to drought or diseases and have better yields.
The minister has expressed confidence that the European Commission will present its legislative proposal on this matter at the beginning of July so that during the Spanish presidency an attempt will be made to reach a political agreement on an issue that he has considered crucial.
Luis Planas has insisted that it is necessary to develop knowledge, innovation and technology to adapt agriculture to the consequences of climate change that have already begun to be felt. In addition, he has pointed out that they must also contribute to reducing dependence on imports in the face of unstable political scenarios such as the war in Ukraine, and optimize opportunities to achieve open strategic autonomy.
The green transition, the minister has pointed out, is an urgent and necessary issue, which does not respond to ideological issues, and which offers important benefits to society in terms of health, resource savings and employment opportunities, among others. He thus pointed out that innovation must also contribute to the reduction of food waste and take advantage of the advantages of the circular economy. The exchange of knowledge between countries is necessary to improve global food security and the sustainability of the planet, he added.
EUROPEAN INNOVATION ASSOCIATIONS
The minister has also advocated for a greater connection between scientific advances and their application to the real needs of agriculture and companies, which is one of the objectives of the European Innovation Associations (EIP-Agri). Spain is the second country in the EU, behind Italy, in carrying out projects of this strategy, with more than 600 funded projects, for which the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has granted 70.8 million euros to the creation of 177 operational groups and the execution of 124 innovative projects.
In this conference, organized by the Directorate General of Agriculture of the European Commission, together with institutional representatives, scientists, farmers, ranchers, rural communities, industry, advisors, legislators and NGO representatives participate to exchange points of view on achievements and challenges of research and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural development.
BILATERAL MEETINGS
Previously, the minister has held meetings with the rapporteur in the European Parliament on the “Geographical Indications” file, Paolo de Castro, and with the Minister of Rural Affairs of Sweden, Peter Kullgren, the country that holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU).
The Geographical Indications regulation will be one of the dossiers on which an attempt will be made to close an interinstitutional agreement between the Council and the European Parliament during the Spanish Presidency, in the second half of the year.
Spain has led the “Friends of Geographical Indications” group, which has the support of 15 Member States which, among other aspects, plans to strengthen the role of producer groups (in Spain it is the figure of regulatory councils) and that is based on respect for existing models in Mediterranean countries.
Precisely during the Swedish Presidency of the EU, which ends at the end of June, the first meeting of the trilogues (between the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission) will take place, scheduled for June 6. During the Spanish semester, another three-way meeting is planned on July 18. Luis Planas and Peter Kullgren have begun the “transfer” of some of the issues that will move to the semester of the Spanish Presidency.
Luis Planas has considered the result of the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Agriculture held yesterday in Brussels and the bilateral meeting he had with the commissioner to be very positive because of what it represents as a step forward to unblock the use of funds from the crisis reserve to support to farmers and ranchers in the face of drought. The minister has indicated that the requests from Spain and Portugal and endorsed by France and Italy received majority support and that their coordination will be finalized in the coming weeks.