The need for Europe to support the agri -food sector with determination in order to ensured food security and to accelerate the green transitionthe Minister of Rural Development and Food said Costas Tsiarasin his speech to the informal EU Ministers of Agriculture Council, held in Copenhagen.

Mr Tsiaras pointed out that Georgia should remain at the core of the European project, as, without a strong and competitive agri -food sector, there can be no food safety or a real green transition.

“Europe is being tested today. War, energy crisis, international turmoil and the impact of climate change bring to the forefront an urgent question: Can we guarantee our citizens quality, safe and affordable? The answer is clear: yes, we can – but only if we keep agriculture at the core of the European plan. Because without a strong and competitive agri -food sector, we will have neither food safety nor a green transition, “Mr Tsiaras said.

Referring to the priorities required, the Greek Minister underlined:

• The need for investment in innovation and technologies that are directly applicable to the field, such as precision agriculture and digitization.
• Creating financial tools that will facilitate access to funds, especially for young and female farmers.
• Producers’ remuneration for the results they bring, such as improving soil fertility, biodiversity protection and environmental services.

At the same time, he stressed that the legal framework should be a “ally of the farmer and not an opponent”, demanding:

• Similar, stable and predictable rules. “It is not the bureaucracy to strangle innovation,” he said.
• Faster approvals for new plant protection and nutrition solutions that are safe and reduce the environmental footprint.
• Equal terms of competition with third countries to protect the European producer.
• Strong risk management tools, given extreme weather and unstable markets.

In closing his position, the Minister pointed out:

“The green transition can only succeed with the protagonist. We need policies that give motivation and perspectivewhich enhance competitiveness and guarantee the viability of the countryside. By supporting the European farmer, investing in competitiveness and moving into a fair and realistic green transition, we can ensure the production of safe, quality and affordable foods for all our citizens. “