Ministry of Agriculture: livestock farming is essential to ensuring an adequate food supply for the population

At the informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Dublin, Latvia emphasised the need to promote the introduction of new technologies in livestock farming, develop solutions for the early detection and control of animal diseases, and strengthen science-based solutions to reduce nutrient losses.

At the meeting, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Normunds Šmits pointed out that livestock farming is essential to ensuring an adequate food supply for the population and that particular attention should therefore be paid to the sector's resilience and development. The introduction of new technologies can reduce production costs, increase animal productivity and strengthen the competitiveness of farms. At the same time, more effective solutions need to be developed for the early detection and timely control of animal diseases.

During the debate, Normunds Šmits emphasised the need to make greater use of protein crops and alternative protein sources in animal feed, as well as to promote the development of productive, disease-resistant varieties adapted to the climate. This would help strengthen the EU's protein supply and reduce dependence on imports.

Particular attention should be paid to targeted financial support for small farms to introduce new technologies. Support should be practical, easily accessible and tailored to the needs of farms of different sizes.

The Parliamentary Secretary also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between researchers, farmers, businesses and policymakers so that science-based solutions can be put into practice more quickly and better meet the needs of the sector.

The informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers is taking place in Dublin during the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.