Por Redaccion 
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, and his Danish counterpart, Jacob Jensen, discussed on Monday the priorities of the upcoming Danish Presidency of the European Union, which will take place in the second half of the year.
Specifically, Planas pointed out that the Danish presidency will be «crucial» to advance in issues such as defining the new budget of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), implementing new genomic techniques (NTG), or reviewing the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
The Minister of Agriculture expressed his full support for the Danish minister and conveyed a message of confidence that the upcoming Danish Presidency will continue the path initiated by the Spanish Presidency to consider agriculture and fisheries as key activities from the perspective of economic, environmental, and social sustainability. «In this framework, all aspects that ensure a more competitive and innovative sector must be improved and supported,» emphasized Luis Planas.
Additionally, they discussed the need for a stable, strong, and adequately funded CAP in a path of simplification and competitiveness. In this regard, Planas acknowledged that the new financial framework from 2028 «provides the opportunity to recognize the strategic value of the European agri-food and fisheries system, ensure a strong budget for the new CAP and the Common Fisheries Policy, and avoid any cuts that would compromise their competitiveness or hinder their ability to overcome the challenges they face.»
Regarding the use of new genomic techniques, Planas emphasized that Spain remains committed to reaching an agreement in the Council of the European Union and thanked his Danish counterpart for the «close and good» collaboration that both countries have maintained on this issue.
Planas pointed out that some of the main competitors of European Union countries have regulations in this regard and are decisively betting on these techniques that offer new tools to the agri-food sector to address the challenges of climate change.
REVIEW OF THE MULTI-ANNUAL FISHERIES PLAN FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN
On the other hand, the Spanish minister conveyed to Jacob Jensen his intention to improve the decision-making process in the Total Allowable Catches (TAC) and fishing quotas.
According to Planas, it is «fundamental» to argue that, in addition to biological scientific reports, the social and economic impact of the areas where it is implemented must also be taken into account.
Furthermore, the fisheries minister believes that, after five years of implementation, a thorough review of the multi-annual plan for the Mediterranean is necessary to make it more efficient, allow for sustainable and long-term fisheries management that ensures the economic viability of the sector and, at the same time, the recovery of species.
Looking ahead to a future reform of the CFP, the Spanish minister emphasized the need to ensure a balance between the environmental, economic, and social objectives of the policy. «It is essential to address generational renewal in the fishing sector, decarbonization, and the defense of the position of fishing activity within the context of the blue economy,» stated Planas.