site.btaDeputy Minister Vasileva Participates in EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council Informal Meeting

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Lozana Vasileva participated in an informal meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Copenhagen, reported the Agriculture Ministry’s press office on Tuesday. The meeting’s topic was about improving competitiveness and accelerating the green transition of the European food industry. 

Vasileva noted that food safety has been a main priority in the context of climatic, demographic, and socio-economic changes in recent years. 

She noted that transitioning to sustainable farming requires targeted investments, scientific research, and regulatory changes that facilitate access to innovation throughout the entire agri-food chain. The Deputy Minister said that support policies should also focus on improving market infrastructure in rural areas, facilitating access to financing, and increasing the efficiency of the food industry. 

She underscored that enhancing farmers’ knowledge and skills through training is essential for implementing sustainable practices and achieving climate goals. “Special attention must be paid to consumer awareness and trust by organising awareness campaigns on new foods, sustainable nutrition, and labelling,” Vasileva explained. 

In the context of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, Vasileva underscored the need for a simplified and stable regulatory framework to ensure consistency during the transition, without abrupt rule changes that could create uncertainty for farmers. She added that the exchange of experience and practices between different member states should be encouraged. 

She described the planned new European regulation on biotechnology as a major step forward but stressed that its success depends on clear regulation, swift implementation, and the attraction of “risk-tolerant” capital to overcome the shortage of investments in the initial stages of biotechnology enterprises.