The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Environment Maria Panagiotou awaits the conclusion of the disciplinary investigation regarding the projects in Akamas. In an interview with “P”, she states that the goal is for the projects in Akamas to be implemented with a reduced environmental footprint, ensuring that any energy carried out there proceeds with absolute respect for the sensitive but also highly environmentally valuable ecosystem of the area. The minister analyzes the government's plan for water and dealing with the prolonged drought. On the issue of halloumi, Ms. Panagiotou, coming from a family that made dairy products, knows firsthand the difficulties that exist and emphasizes that the main goal is to maintain it as a main export product.
Seven months at the Ministry of Agriculture. What are your goals, aspirations and vision?
Following the priorities set by the Governance Program of Nikos Christodoulidis, we focus both on upgrading the primary sector and protecting the environment.
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Our objectives, as far as the Directorate-General for Agriculture is concerned, are twofold: on the one hand to address the long-term difficulties plaguing the sector and on the other hand to adapt to the new realities brought about by climate change and other exogenous factors. Our goal is to increase the contribution of the primary sector to the country's GDP. To achieve this, we have implemented a series of actions aimed at empowering our farmers with an emphasis on professional agriculture, with an increase in the participation of young farmers.
Leveraging, among other things, the CAP's 454 million portfolio, we are creating financial tools to provide our farmers with modern infrastructure so they can use “smart farming” technologies and quality management systems to increase production, reduce costs production and limiting the waste of natural resources. Currently open is the “small investment” which focuses on professional farmers and farmers living in the countryside to gain access to this type of infrastructure.
We want to give our farmers the tools to work in a circular economy framework and reduce their dependence on weather conditions. This will allow them to ensure a fair and stable income, while at the same time offering high quality products to consumers at affordable prices. An important objective is to reduce the difference in prices between producer and consumer. That is why we are upgrading the e-coffin, while we are also working on other tools.
As far as the General Directorate of Environment is concerned, our basic principle is to strengthen the environmental control which is staffed following a decision by the President of Democracy. At the same time, within the framework of the Environmental Advisory Committee and together with the co-competent departments, we are proceeding to improve the way environmental studies are evaluated, based on transparency and scientific documentation.
Our priority, among others, is the completion of the Decrees for the Management and Protection of NATURA 2000 areas, which are an obligation of our country within the framework of the directive for the protection of species and habitats.
Coming from a family that dealt with halloumi and dairy products, you probably know the subject and the difficulties better. After the designation as a PDO, there are constant reactions especially on the issue of quotas. Is there room to see definitive solutions that will satisfy all stakeholders on the issue of halloumi?
I grew up in a house where my grandmother made traditional dairy products. I have experienced first hand the difficulties of this job. A job that requires effort, dedication, love and care, in order to produce a quality product.
Regarding PDO halloumi, it is a fact that there is a lack of trust between all those involved in its production and this was also evident in the discussions that took place in the Presidential Palace on June 4. It is clear that whatever solution is proposed, it is difficult to satisfy 100% of all involved.
Halloumi is our national product and is an important pillar of our economy, especially in terms of exports. Our goal is to maintain halloumi as our main export product, while at the same time securing the PDO, which protects and enhances our export potential. All our actions are aimed at achieving our goals, which is why we promote a series of actions and tools in this direction. As far as the financial tools are concerned, these, among others, aim to ensure the sustainability of all involved, which is why we are currently working together with the organized groups of goat and sheep breeders and cattle breeders for their final design.
The conclusion for the works in Akamas is complete. Do responsibilities arise from the investigation? What's next for Akamas?
The administrative investigation was completed, which revealed possible disciplinary offences. That is why I have asked for a disciplinary investigation to investigate these potential offences. This disciplinary investigation is ongoing. Our goal is for the projects in Akamas to be implemented with a reduced environmental footprint, ensuring that any energy carried out there proceeds with absolute respect for the sensitive but also highly environmentally valuable ecosystem of the area. The projects that will be implemented, our actions and decisions are within the framework and philosophy of the Sustainable Management Plan of the Akamas National Forest Park.
One of the most important problems facing Cyprus is the prolonged drought. Farmers are protesting and not unjustly. How does the ministry intend to support the agricultural world and what solutions are planned to deal with the water issue?
We fully understand the concerns of our farmers as drought directly affects their production. It is for this reason that the ministry has submitted, as early as April, the National Investment Plan, which includes strategic infrastructures and actions over one billion euros that are underway or are about to start in a certain time frame and be completed by in 2030. At the same time, a few weeks ago, by decision of the Cabinet, we announced emergency measures amounting to 6 million euros, some of which directly help farmers. We are also proceeding with the revision of the water policy and the development of an additional action plan, with the aim of being better prepared in a possible next cycle of drought.
The point is to ensure that the infrastructures that will be created which are included in the framework of the National Investment Plan, as well as the new ones that will be added to the new Action Plan, will be sufficient to face the challenges. Our actions focus on the creation of infrastructures that fully cover the needs of water supply and irrigation. However, we must be realistic: any satisfactory solution to the problem of water scarcity requires time and concerted efforts.
At the moment, the dialogue between the agricultural organizations and the Department of Water Development (TAW) is ongoing, with the aim of covering the existing needs with additional quantities of water. At the same time, our goal is to utilize modern technologies that reduce waste and optimize the use of all available water sources.
We have already informed the Council of Ministers of Agriculture and the European Commission about the challenges we face, and this issue is central to our discussion at the meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Development of the MED9, which will take place in Cyprus 1-3 September. Our country, together with France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Croatia, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia, coordinate our positions and actions to address drought and water scarcity, with a common commitment to support our rural world to face the challenges of drought with efficient and sustainable means of sustainably managing this vital resource.
By undertaking the your tasks was created on e-coffin. Through this tool, the prices of agricultural products are communicated, which was positively received by the farmers. How is this effort progressing?
It is a fact that there was a significant gap in terms of transparency and the taking of actions to reduce the difference between producer and consumer prices. To correct this gap and taking SEDIGEP Sotiras price publication as a positive practice, together with my team we decided to proceed with gathering the data and making it public to strengthen the effort for fair income for farmers, transparency in the market and compliance quantitative data. The e-crate is a simple tool, the first of a series of others we have in the works, which, as I mentioned above, we are upgrading. It is a fact that it has already shown its positive results as well as its acceptance, since it is now followed and invoked by both farmers and consumers. At the same time, for us it is a valuable database that helps us adjust our plans and decisions to meet the needs of farmers.
Which political future of Maria Panagiotou?
Currently, I have the honor and responsibility of managing a very challenging portfolio. I am fully committed to the challenges we face and the solutions we must find for the good of our country, always having the governance program as a guide.
I focus on my political present and on the implementation of actions and initiatives that will substantially contribute to the development of the primary sector and the protection of the environment. This interests me and this is what I am focusing on so that I can contribute to the collective effort we are making to achieve tangible and positive results for our country, for a Cyprus that we want to change for the better.
156 points of increased risk in 12 municipalities and 92 communities for waste
You recently announced six measures to crack down on illegal waste dumping. Are there any developments on this matter? What has been done so far in this direction to ensure their effective implementation?
First of all, I must clarify that, according to both the Municipalities and Communities Acts, local authorities are responsible for waste collection/maintenance of cleanliness/non-development of illegal kennels. But as a ministry, we could not just remain as an observer, since dog yards, in addition to being points of contamination, are often places where fires start. That's why we took this initiative to help clean them up, also sponsoring local authorities to solve the problem.
I should tell you that the framework of actions that we announced was embraced by the local authorities who responded positively to the whole effort. After the submission of the requests of the local authorities, the Department of the Environment proceeded to evaluate all the requests submitted, giving priority to areas facing increased risk, such as those of the NATURA 2000 Network and in forest areas.
In first phase, 156 points in 12 municipalities and 92 communities were assessed as being of increased risk. So far, the total amount of waste that has been cleaned by communities is estimated at 700 cubic meters.
In addition, the municipalities and communities approved for sponsorship were officially informed of the amount of the sponsorship and the conditions they must meet to receive the funding. Among these conditions are the taking of actions to prevent future illegal dumping and the appointment of waste inspectors.
In addition, provincial meetings were held with local government bodies and representatives of waste management facilities to coordinate and coordinate setting schedules. Our goal is to complete the cleanup work by the approved municipalities and communities as soon as possible.
This effort does not stop here. We are constantly monitoring the progress of the work and reviewing the requests that have been submitted to ensure that all problem areas are cleaned up and that Cyprus is free of illegal dumps, turning our campaign slogan, #WasteFreeCyprus, into action.
