During a meeting of the European Union's Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels, presided over by Cyprus, discussions centered on strengthening agricultural resilience and food security amid increasing challenges. Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou highlighted the pressures on agriculture and fisheries in Europe, emphasizing the importance of safe, affordable, and high-quality food. She also discussed the need for balanced trade agreements and the monitoring of impacts from arrangements like Mercosur and Ceta to protect sensitive sectors and ensure equitable competition.

Panayiotou recognized the challenges related to fertiliser availability and the cost impacts on farmers and consumers, exacerbated by geopolitical instability and supply chain issues. She endorsed the European Commission's fertiliser action plan aimed at improving affordability and reducing dependency on non-EU countries, alongside promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The meeting underscored the necessity for strategic stability and the enhancement of the sector's long-term sustainability through pragmatic policies and trade relations.