Commissioner Cioloş at the Informal Agriculture Council in Spain
Commissioner Dacian Cioloş attended his first Informal Council as EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development in Extramadura, South-East of Spain (30th of May – 1st of June).
As ever, the Informal Council provided an interesting look at agriculture in this region, again underlining the diversity of different forms of agriculture in Europe.
The programme included a visit to a dehesa – a farm that gave excellent examples of extensive pig, cow and sheep rearing (rare breeds), providing quality products and other elements contributing to environmental and biodiversity benefits, as well as local employment. The Commissioner also visited a modern company processing vegetables which he described as a "good mix between traditional and modern agriculture".
The meeting looked at the link between the future of the Common Agricultural Policy and the broader EU 2020 Strategy, where every single minister underlined the importance that agriculture has in providing smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe. "It is important that the future Common Agricultural Policy stimulates the multi-functional role of agriculture, leading not only to economic competitiveness, but also to environmental and social competitiveness. We must use this policy to encourage innovation in production methods ", stated Commissioner Cioloş at the informal meeting of European Ministers of Agriculture.
