Tuesday, September 24, Kaspars Gerhards, the Minister for Agriculture participated in an informal meeting of the European Union Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries in Helsinki, hosted by the current Presidency in the European Council – Finland. The topic of the discussion: the role of agriculture in the EU climate policy, and what solutions are needed to facilitate a sustainable agriculture, and to improve carbon sequestration in soil.
Kaspars Gerhards, the Minister emphasized: “Within the framework of the EU policy development, it should be remembered that CAP environmental and climate requirements must be commensurate to and balanced with the funding, allocated to Member States, so that not to undermine competitiveness of farmers on the single market. In case new requirements, new objectives are laid down then the EU financial support must be proportionate to the fulfilment of these requirements. Doubtless, the environmental and climate issues must be addressed however, this should be well- weighed and sustainable – accomplishment of the conditions must be feasible as well as balanced with the sector of agriculture, providing the population with food resources.”
The Ministry of Agriculture is supporting the work on improving carbon sequestration in soil however, the different climate measures is a relevant part of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the totality of the environmental and climate requirements must be commensurate to and sufficiently balanced with the funding allocated to Member States, not to undermine competitiveness of farmers on the single market.
In the future, farmers have a considerable potential to contribute to reduction of climate changes. Therefore, the EU CAP makers, farmers, forestry and the society in general must ensure that measures, focusing on GHG emissions, are of the maximum use in achieving of these objectives in a long-run. It is essential that the different climate measures facilitate the interest of farmers to contribute more toward the achievement of the environmental and climate objectives. In order to motivate farmers to implement the climate measures, it is important to offer solutions effective in cost terms.