The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, speaks to the media

Luis Planas participated in Barcelona in the opening of the 2nd Agri-food Summit "Global Food Systems Global.es", organised by the Mediterranean Diet Foundation, with the aim of discussing the construction of more resilient, safe, and sustainable global food systems.

The Minister warned that food security is not guaranteed, even though it may seem to have remained constant throughout history, and that ensuring that all families have access to sufficient, high-quality food at a reasonable price every day is an extremely complex task, especially at this time.

Thus, he alluded to the disruptions caused by the armed conflict in the Middle East following the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, and to those caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which still has repercussions. Planas highlighted the substantial package of support measures for the agricultural and fishing sectors approved by the Government last Friday, the 20th, worth more than 877 million euros. These measures essentially consist of aid for diesel fuel used in agriculture and fishing, for the purchase of fertilisers, and to facilitate access to financing for businesses. These measures also aim to prevent an increase in food prices.

In addition to the difficulties caused by the geopolitical situation, Planas added the unilateral tariff decisions adopted by the President of the United States, which have altered international trade relations of the last half-century, relations that have enabled many countries to experience significant economic development. He stated that membership in the European Union and trade agreements have allowed Spain to consolidate its position as an agri-food powerhouse, the fourth largest exporter in Europe and the seventh largest in the world.

For this reason, the minister underscored the need to diversify and expand markets, and highlighted the importance of the European Commission's announcement today of the provisional application, effective from 1 May, of the agreement with Mercosur, which will provide excellent marketing opportunities for the Spanish sector. This agreement includes protective measures for potentially more vulnerable products, such as reduced quotas and safeguard clauses. He also referred to the agreements with India, Indonesia and Mexico.

In the face of climate change and environmental challenges, the minister stressed the importance of digitalisation and the application of new technologies. He mentioned precision agriculture, drones, sensors, and Artificial Intelligence to optimise resources, as well as the application of new genomic techniques to achieve more resilient crops. Regenerative agriculture and the circular economy also allow for improved soil fertility and closed production cycles, combining profitability and sustainability. These strategies not only reflect an environmental commitment but also strengthen the sector's competitiveness and consumer confidence.

Planas emphasised the international dimension of food security and noted that 700 million people suffer from hunger, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Transforming agri-food systems contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals, combating poverty, inequality, and climate change. "A fair and sustainable food system is also an instrument of peace, achievable only through international cooperation and strong partnerships," the minister stressed.

Non official translation