Planas believes that planning agri-food policies requires the best scientific information available

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, understands that the planning of agri-food policies requires the best scientific information available. In this area, Spain advocates prioritising actions that increase yields in a sustainable way, such as plant protection products with biological active substances and new genomic technologies.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, which has a long tradition of collaboration with various public research centres and universities, is emphasising environmental and climatic aspects related to food production and biotechnology, not to mention social issues that contribute to promoting the rural environment as an attractive place to live.

Luis Planas has visited the public institution Wageningen University and Research, consisting of the university itself and the former agricultural research institute of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture. Regarded as the world's leading agricultural research centre, Wageningen University conducts scientific research in the field of healthy food, environment and society.

The minister met with Guido Landheer, director of European, International and Agroeconomic Affairs of the Dutch Ministry for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, with whom he agreed on the need for resilient food systems that guarantee access to affordable food in sufficient quantities for an expanding world population.

In this regard, the European Union plays a key role in food security, both in terms of the importance of its production and because of its leading role in world trade and in international forums where the governance of food systems is debated. At EU level, the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC) is the main tool for ensuring food security, within the framework of the environmental and climate objectives of the European Green Pact.

Spain also considers international trade to be a key element in achieving global food security. In this area, the EU is working to ensure the smooth functioning of markets, which must have clear and transparent rules. To this end, the role of the World Trade Organisation must also be strengthened.

During his visit, the minister met with Spanish students studying at Wageningen University. Afterwards, he learned about the operation of the Unifarm greenhouses operate, 240 hectares of experimental fields with different soil types, climatic rooms, cold stores and other facilities.

Non official translation