EU Ag Ministers Discuss NGTs in Cordoba Meeting

The informal meeting of the European Union (EU) agriculture ministers in Cordoba on September 3-5, 2023 focused on the use of new technologies to advance food security, combat climate change, and achieve agricultural sector profitability in the region. The meeting was held in the Palacio de Congresos of the Andalusian city and chaired by Spain's acting Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Luis Planas, and was attended by the European Commissioner, Janusz Wojciechowski.

Industry leaders from the EU presented their ideas and proposals on which techniques and solutions they consider most effective in the fight against climate change and for better food production. One of the main topics of the meeting was food security, a priority of the Spanish presidency for its six-month term. Another issue discussed during the meeting was the fight against climate change and its effects on the agri-food sector in the EU and globally. However, the key topic during the informal meeting was new genomics techniques (NGTs), which make it possible to breed more resilient and resistant plant varieties quickly and with greater precision.

During the meeting, the Spanish minister highlighted the potential of new genomic techniques in breeding new plant varieties to meet the challenge of food production sustainability, tackle climate change, and reduce the use of plant protection products and fertilizers.

European decision-makers were able to express their concerns, doubts, and worries as part of a transparent debate to guarantee the production of both seeds and plants for food production in sufficient quantities. This is all without harming the environment and guaranteeing the future of the sector. The Ministers also emphasized their interest in ensuring transparency and information for consumers to achieve more sustainable technological solutions.

For more details, read the news release on the website of the Council of the European Union.