On Monday 26 January, European agriculture ministers recognised the strategic importance of the bioeconomy for the agri-food sector and rural areas.
After the debate, the Cyprus Presidency of the Council highlighted several priorities: strengthening primary producers (support for farmers, foresters and fishermen), market access and innovation, simplification of rules and funding (European Competitiveness Fund, Horizon Europe, common agricultural policy, etc.), as well as sustainability and circularity, said Maria Panayiotou, the Cypriot minister.
Germany and Sweden stressed the need to avoid over-regulation, reduce administrative burdens and ensure access to the market and investment, while recognising the central role of primary producers. Hungary and several Central European countries highlighted the importance of local biomass, the cascading principle and the BioEast initiative, calling for greater market visibility and structured partnerships.
Spain emphasised the importance of food security, calling for dedicated financial envelopes for agriculture and fisheries in the future European Competitiveness Fund. France stressed the importance of creating value for primary producers, giving priority to food uses and the strategic role of the agricultural, forestry and aquaculture sectors.
The Nordic countries, including Finland, focused on innovation, regulatory simplification and access to finance. Coastal states such as Italy, Greece and Portugal strongly championed the blue bioeconomy, the recovery of fisheries waste and the potential of bioproducts.
Finally, there was broad consensus on the need to strengthen research, support SMEs, ensure food security and ensure flexible implementation adapted to national and regional realities.
The Commissioner for Environment, Jessika Roswall, presented the EU’s updated strategy for the bioeconomy as a key lever for competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy for farmers, fishermen and aquaculture farmers (see EUROPE 13774/16). She emphasised the objective of reducing external dependency by relying on innovation, research and European biomass.
The strategy aims to stimulate investment, create growth markets and strengthen partnerships, in particular through the development of bio-based materials, organic fertilisers and new value chains. Particular emphasis is placed on aquaculture and the blue economy, as well as recognition of the role of primary producers in preserving ecosystems, according to the Commissioner.
For the Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, the bioeconomy needs to strike a balance between economic performance and environmental sustainability. He spoke of the opportunities for farmers to generate additional income by supplying biomass and recycling agricultural residues.
The strategy should strengthen the resilience of farms and help to stabilise agricultural markets, in particular through the circular economy, he said. Mr Hansen highlighted concrete examples, such as biogas and the conversion of livestock effluents into fertilisers to reduce dependence on imported inputs and support more autonomous and sustainable agriculture.
The Environment Council on 17 March is expected to adopt similar conclusions on the bioeconomy. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)