Cyprus minister addresses EU agriculture and fisheries council

The European Union Council of Agriculture and Fisheries convened in Luxembourg on October 26-27, 2026, to discuss the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027. Cyprus Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Christos Senekis, attended the sessions to represent national interests and advocate for the primary production sector.

During his interventions, Minister Senekis called for a strong and well-funded CAP that ensures fair incomes for farmers while reducing bureaucratic burdens. He emphasized the necessity of granting member states greater flexibility to accommodate local specificities. Furthermore, he urged for fairer competition and better access to international markets for Cypriot producers. Regarding fisheries, the discussions centered on establishing sustainable management of marine resources and reaching agreements on fishing quotas for the Baltic Sea for 2027, alongside coordinating the European Union’s position ahead of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meeting.

Minister Senekis underscored that structural support is essential for the viability of rural and coastal communities facing ongoing economic pressures. He advocated for simplifying regulations for professional fishermen to help them maintain their livelihoods.