Planas: "Very constructive meeting with Minister Özdemir to discuss and get his views on the priorities of the Spanish EU Presidency"

Luis Planas said that the meeting with Özdemir had been "very constructive to discuss the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU and to gather his opinions". During the meeting, Planas stressed the need to promote the use of innovation and new technologies in the agricultural sector, especially at a time when it is necessary to guarantee food supply. For the minister, new technologies are a very effective tool in making agriculture more resilient to climate change. This issue will be the focus of the informal meeting of agriculture ministers in Cordoba in September.

The Minister also stated Spain's intention to ask the European Commission to carry out an assessment on the implementation of the national strategic plans of the Common Agricultural Policy, one year after its entry into force.

They also discussed Spain's legislative priorities, including the regulation on new gene-editing techniques, on which the Commission is due to present its proposal in early June. Progress will be made on the dossiers on the sustainable use of plant protection products, protected geographical indications and food labelling, among others.

On the other hand, the minister pointed out that Spain and the Commission plan to co-organise a high-level conference on the long-term vision for rural areas, where it is hoped to adopt Council conclusions on this issue.

In relation to fisheries issues, Spain plans to organise an informal council of ministers in Vigo in July, which will focus on the renewal and modernisation of the fishing fleet.

During its six-month rotating presidency of the Council, starting on 1 July, Spain wants to make progress on the regulations setting fishing opportunities in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea for 2024; and on the regulation on tariff quotas for fishery products for 2024-2026, among other legislative issues.

Non official translation