Brussels – Slovenia expressed its support for the European Commission’s dual proposals aimed at enhancing the role of farmers within the EU food supply chain during the recent agriculture ministers’ meeting. The country underscored the necessity of taking into account the unique circumstances of each member state. Slovenia also backed initiatives aimed at reducing bureaucratic obstacles for organic farmers and curbing unfair trading practices.
During the Brussels meeting, the European Commission presented these legislative proposals—first introduced over a month ago—derived from a package of measures designed to address crises in the agricultural sector. The primary goals of these proposals are to bolster the farmers’ position and rebuild trust among all participants in the agri-food supply chain.
According to an announcement from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food on Tuesday, Slovenia welcomed the proposed modifications to the common market organization. The ministry highlighted the critical need to recognize cooperatives as producer organizations across multiple sectors simultaneously.
Furthermore, Slovenia endorsed efforts to enhance collaboration among supervisory agencies to combat unfair business practices within the agri-food chain. The ministry noted that establishing clear procedural rules for cross-border cooperation, including a mechanism for mutual assistance, would help protect farmers and small to medium-sized suppliers from potential exploitation.
The Council of Agriculture Ministers also addressed the necessity of reassessing the fitness check process tied to strategic plan implementations. This was a focal point in a joint letter from 27 member states, including Slovenia. The country advocated for legislative changes that would simplify procedures, thereby facilitating a more effective use of funds from the Common Agricultural Policy. Slovenia also expressed its support for making the green architecture more accessible to farmers, which is expected to enhance the attainment of green deal objectives. (January 28)
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