To decisively contribute to a sustainable future, transition to a sustainable meals system that respects the planet’s limits is crucial, mentioned Stella Kyriakides, Well being and Meals Security Commissioner.
Kyriakides was talking throughout an occasion ‘From Farm to Fork: meals security’, hosted by the Cyprus College of Expertise to mark the event of Cyprus submitting its CAP Strategic Plan, on Friday night.
On the identical time, Agriculture, Rural Improvement and Setting Minister, Costas Kadis mentioned we aspire to face the challenges, noting that Cyprus has requested for technical help from the European Fee to fulfill the targets.
Throughout the occasion, the excessive use of agricultural pesticides in Cyprus was underlined, with the Commissioner noting that the technique affords an entire and bold framework for reworking the best way we produce, distribute and devour meals, creating on the identical time a meals system that’s truthful, wholesome and environmentally pleasant.
She mentioned the technique “From Farm to Fork” is already underway with the purpose to start out implementing this 12 months, introducing important legislative initiatives on important points reminiscent of meals labelling and the sustainable use of pesticides.
Kyriakides additionally mentioned residents within the EU are very involved in regards to the in depth use of chemical pesticides and guaranteed that the Fee is taking these issues very severely.
For that reason, the “Farm to Fork” technique accommodates a transparent purpose, to cut back by 50% using chemical compounds and probably the most harmful pesticides, with a time horizon of 2030.
On the identical time, she added “we are going to provide our farmers important assist throughout this transitional interval” and thanked Cyprus for its lively participation in in depth consultations, “which allow us to form a balanced and proper method ahead”.
In her speech, the Commissioner indicated that the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted how intently human, plant, animal and environmental well being is linked and that this discovering is behind the “One Well being” European Joint Programme (OHEJP) strategy.
For that reason, she urged Cyprus to take the chance and proceed swiftly with the revision and strengthening of the Nationwide Motion Plan on antimicrobial resistance, considering the dimension “One Well being”.
Cyprus’ strategic plan is anticipated to be evaluated within the upcoming weeks she added.
On his half, Minister Kadis, targeted on the nation`s targets to cut back using pesticides and enhance natural farming, acknowledging that “Cyprus is lagging behind and has very important challenges to face.”
Nonetheless, he careworn that “this convinces us as a Ministry to enhance each the place of Cyprus and the procedures which might be being adopted.”
Based on Kadis, at a time after we need to lower using pesticides, there may be an rising development within the gross sales of pesticides and excessive charges of exceeding the utmost permitted ranges of pesticide residues in meals.
Relating to the `Farm to Fork` programme, Kadis mentioned technical help has already been requested from the European Fee to attain the aims set out within the technique. He indicated that there’s a want to lift client consciousness, strengthen the position of the provision chain of agricultural merchandise, enhance analysis and dissemination of built-in plant safety strategies, broaden the framework of controls on the disposal and use of PPPs and tighten the framework for the appliance of PPPs in delicate areas utilized by the general public.
Kadis additional mentioned an EU goal is to extend natural farming to 25% of agricultural land by 2030. “A really bold goal for Cyprus and the entire of Europe,” he mentioned, noting that in the present day in Cyprus solely 5% of agricultural land is used for natural farming, whereas the EU common is at 8%.
Concluding, he mentioned Cyprus is clearly prepared to undertake the rules of the Farm to Fork technique, deliver Cyprus ahead and permit each citizen to have protected merchandise of their plates which have been produced with environmentally pleasant strategies.
(CNA)