EU Mediterranean Nations Urge Commission to Accelerate Water Strategy Implementation
EU Agriculture Ministers Emphasize Urgent Need for Water Security Policies
At a meeting held in Cyprus on September 3rd, agriculture ministers from nine EU member states called for swift action on water security policies to address pressing water shortages. The ministers, representing Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain, united to support the agricultural sector grappling with the impacts of severe droughts.
Cypriot Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou stated, “This ministerial session reflects our commitment to addressing water scarcity and ensuring a sustainable future for our farmers.” She urged the European Commission to expedite the implementation of the European Water Strategy.
The European Commission’s President, Ursula von der Leyen, had previously announced the strategy in her address to the European Parliament on July 18, 2024. In response, environment ministers from 21 EU states emphasized the necessity of prioritizing water management within the EU’s agenda.
The MED-9 group of ministers highlighted the importance of financial support for European agriculture, advocating for the establishment of a European insurance system. Spanish Minister Luis Planas had already raised this topic with the European Commission prior to the meeting.
In a collaborative statement, the ministers stressed the need for flexibility in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) financing framework, particularly to support water management measures and irrigation investments. Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida emphasized the critical role of CAP funding in sustaining agriculture in rural areas.
Additionally, there was a strong push for increased investment in applied research within the EU to promote the use of advanced technologies and breeding techniques that can develop crop varieties resilient to water scarcity. French Agriculture Minister Marc Fesneau pointed out the vital role of gene-editing technologies in creating crops better suited to withstand climate stress.
Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, who attended the conference, reiterated that water security must be a central focus for the European Commission to ensure a sustainable agricultural future.
The ministers concluded by advocating for enhanced collaboration among the MED-9 countries regarding research, sharing best practices, and developing innovative technological solutions to optimize water usage in agriculture.
John Peterson graduated with a degree in Agricultural Sciences from Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His specialization is in sustainable crop production and soil health management. John is passionate about integrating modern technology with traditional farming methods to enhance productivity while preserving the environment. He currently works as a consultant, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.