Greece highlights concerns over animal welfare in recent meeting

In Brussels, Greece's Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras, engaged in discussions with EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi concerning animal health and welfare at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The meeting was particularly significant as it aimed to enhance understanding and collaborative efforts in monitoring and preventing animal disease outbreaks. Tsiaras emphasized that decisions in this field should rely on comprehensive scientific evidence to ensure effective policies. He highlighted the need for urgent actions, including improved preventive measures and rapid responses, to protect animal welfare across member states. During the discussions, Tsiaras also expressed Greece’s strong opposition to any mandatory national co-financing for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post-2027. He argued that enforcing such requirements would lead to significant inequalities among member states, thereby threatening the unified nature of the CAP. This position reflects Greece’s commitment to maintaining a strong CAP with sufficient funding that supports rural development and food security for all member states. The Minister pointed out several supportive initiatives from the European Commission aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector, such as initiatives for protein crops and better organization of sectoral interventions. Moreover, he advocated for the simplification of the Common Fisheries Policy to better cater to the needs of local fishermen and the fishing industry. The Greek minister also reiterated the importance of science-based approaches in developing fisheries management plans, especially for small-scale coastal fishing that supports island communities. Tsiaras addressed concerns regarding African swine fever, expressing solidarity with affected nations, including Estonia, and highlighting its severe implications for food security, pork production, and the broader agri-food sector. This exchange underscored Greece’s proactive position in addressing disease outbreaks that threaten both local and EU-wide agricultural productivity. In conclusion, the meeting reflects the ongoing efforts among EU member states to create a cohesive strategy for animal health and welfare, and highlights Greece's commitment to shaping EU agricultural policies to protect farmers' interests and promote sustainable food production.