Agriculture and Fisheries
Food and climate – the global challenges
Two of the main global challenges facing agriculture are managing the impact of agriculture on climate and the impact of climate change on agriculture, and securing global food supply.
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Photo: Pelle Söder/Folio
The agricultural and forestry sectors are important actors in efforts to prevent climate change. Resources must be used in a long-term sustainable way to prevent their depletion. It is important to create the conditions for agricultural and forestry sectors that are modern, sustainable and competitive and that can contribute positively to climate work. Part of this work involves promoting more effective energy use and increased production of sustainable bioenergy.
The informal meeting of agriculture ministers will take place in Växjö on 13–15 September 2009 and will discuss the theme of agriculture and the climate, focusing on adaptation measures. During the autumn, on 23–24 November, Sweden will also hold a conference in Lund on the theme of climate-smart food.
Future global food security is a challenge, particularly as the world’s population is expected to double by 2050. The UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) plays an important role in securing global food supplies. The highest decision-making body in the FAO, the Conference, will convene a meeting in November 2009. As holder of the Presidency, Sweden will speak on behalf of the EU at the meeting and thereby advance the work of the FAO.
Making decisions on rural development and fishing quotas
Once a month, the Union’s ministers for agriculture and/or fisheries meet. Issues on the agenda could include food control, animal rights or quotas for Europe’s fishing waters. The ministers also gather for an informal meeting once during each six-month presidency. During the Swedish Presidency, this will take place on 13-15 September in Växjö, under the leadership of Sweden’s Minister for Agriculture, Eskil Erlandsson.
More about agriculture and fisheries
- Working Parties Agriculture and Fisheries
- Agriculture and Fisheries Council
- European Commission: Fisheries
- European Commission: Agriculture and Rural Development
- European Commission: Food Safety, Animal Welfare and Plant Health
- European Parliament: Agriculture and fisheries
- European Parliament: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)
- European Parliament: Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI)
- European Parliament: Fisheries (PECH)
EU Council configurations
On the Council pages, you can find information, news and events.
