Green makes good business
It attracted more than 400,000 visitors, a quarter of them involved in trade, some 70 agriculture ministers or their deputies, and industry leaders from across the world.
Since it was first held as a local product mart in 1926, Green Week has accommodated more than 81,000 exhibitors from 128 countries who have presented a wide range of food and drink products to over 31 million trade visitors and the general public.
Germany’s new Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Hans Peter Friedrich, who officially opened this year’s event, took a broad look at the role of agriculture in the modern world. He said the fact that two billion people were suffering food shortages meant everyone had to share a responsibility and confront this challenge.
It was also stressed at a summit of agricultural ministers that the biggest task facing the world is to eliminate global hunger and to implement the basic human right to adequate food supplies.
The vital role of agriculture in eliminating hunger, particularly in view of the expanding world population, diminishing resources, and the impact of climate change, was highlighted.
It was stressed that the agricultural sector must become more efficient, adaptable and resilient in order to overcome these challenges. Three factors deemed to be of decisive importance in this respect were identified as diversity, sustainability and productivity.
The ministers committed themselves to the eradication of hunger and malnutrition, and the realisation of the human right to food, but noted that the challenges were immense.
Green Week has also become a global meeting place for industry leaders and this year there were discussions at 300 conferences on diverse issues. A major topic was the EU reform of the Common Agricultural Policy.
The policy changes will impact on the EU’s 12 million full-time farmers, who produce food for 500 million consumers in its 28 member states alone.
Europe’s agriculture and the agri-food industry, which is comprised of 15 million businesses and provides 46 million jobs, will also be affected.
Arising from the EU deal, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney last week announced a robust financial framework of more than €12.5 billion in CAP and exchequer funding to assist the sector to fulfil its undoubted growth potential.
Mr Coveney said the agriculture sector and the agri-food industry must maintain a strong collective focus on the need to produce high-quality food in an efficient, competitive and sustainable manner.
EU Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Dacian Ciolos said the CAP — especially through the reform recently decided — offered a European perspective to a sector which has a very strong impact on the daily lives of people — in the form of agriculture and food.
Mr Ciolos recalled that following the turn of the century, the EU set itself far-reaching objectives.
These included traceability of food products, animal welfare, and restrictions on certain substances, such as hormones in livestock production.
“Today, with greening, which fosters sustainable agricultural practices at EU level, we are going one step further to meet the challenges of regenerating our natural resources, which are both an economic benefit and a public good.
“These two elements — taking account of consumer expectations and our capacity to regenerate natural productive resources in a sustainable way — are two interlinked features of the competitiveness of modern farming, not only to produce, but also to be in line with society’s expectations.
“They are two essential components of the ‘Made in Europe’ label — which give an identity to our agri-food sector throughout the world.
“In order to modernise our agriculture, taking into account the economic and sustainability challenges, we need to give greater emphasis to two factors — innovation and youth — or, rather, innovation in agriculture through the regeneration of the sector.
“Young farmers naturally bring innovative and progressive ideas in line with society. At present, only 6% of the EU’s farmers are under 35 years of age.
“That’s why the new CAP will support innovation, applied research and generational renewal. But farmers must be able to make a comfortable living from their work — and society must be made more aware of the value of their dedication and commitment,” he said.
