site.btaAgriculture Minister: Farmers Must Have Free Access to Digital Networks and Software Applications

The benefits of the green and digital transition must be explained to farmers so that they are encouraged to get involved in its implementation, Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev said Tuesday during the informal meeting of the European Union Agriculture and Fisheries Council held in Cordoba, Spain, on September 3-5, Vatev's ministry said.

According to Vatev, this will become possible if farmers are sufficiently compensated for the extra efforts they have made. "Farmers must have free access to digital networks and software applications," the minister stressed.

He said the successful application of digital technologies provides sustainable solutions to current and future challenges in the sector. Innovative agricultural production, sustainable production ecosystems and agricultural data are the three main areas to be developed in parallel to achieve greener and more sustainable agricultural systems. Vatev stressed that the application of scientific findings must not compromise the EU's high safety standards. He also said that consumers' right to informed choice must be guaranteed.

The Spanish presidency of the Council of the European Union focused the ministers' discussion on new technologies as a tool for more sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.