In Córdoba this Tuesday, Luis Planas, Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, urged a stronger response to drought. He cautioned that there is no magic wand, but stressed that tools exist to address the challenge. He spoke to reporters shortly before the informal EU agriculture ministers meeting at the Palacio de Congresos, framing climate resilience as a central topic in the context of drought, among other issues. (Attribution: Spanish government press office)
Planas pointed out that water scarcity will be a key item on the agenda. He noted that Spain sits in one of the regions most exposed to climate risks and emphasized the need for a practical plan. Ministers will assess the situation and work toward a robust, actionable response. (Attribution: European Council briefings)
During the informal ministerial gathering, Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, highlighted the session on the theme “New technologies for a more sustainable and resilient agriculture.” Attendees will focus on how genome editing techniques can help develop plant varieties better suited to drought and extreme heat, with potential benefits for yields and resource efficiency. (Attribution: European Commission communications)
Asked about the absence of several ministers, including Germany’s delegation led by Swantje Nilsson, Planas said that early contacts revealed a generally open and constructive stance across most EU member states. He acknowledged some concerns and suggested the need to clarify them through dialogue. (Attribution: press conference notes)
Planas recalled the July 5 proposal from the European Commission to regulate the use of new gene-editing techniques, aiming to simplify their deployment while maintaining safety and transparency. He affirmed his commitment to a transparent process that supports plant production—from seed to field—without compromising environmental protection or future food security. (Attribution: Commission communication)
First political conclusions are the immediate goal, Planas explained. While a full, long-term agreement may require more time, the current period should yield initial political signals and pave the way for later presidencies to complete the legislative work. This approach aligns with Spain’s role during its presidency of the Council of the European Union. (Attribution: Spanish government statements)
Regarding how genomic techniques might intersect with broader regulation on genetic techniques and pesticide reductions, Planas emphasized that policy choices must balance increased food production with environmental safeguards. He pressed for careful consideration of how new tools can contribute to sustainable farming without unintended ecological impacts. (Attribution: policy interview)
On the climate adaptation potential of new technologies in the primary sector, Planas noted that the meeting provides a rare opportunity for substantive discussion. While partial talks have taken place, ministers now have a chance to deliberate in depth. He asked colleagues to identify which techniques offer the most effective leverage against climate change in food production and to back those choices with EU-wide support. (Attribution: ministerial remarks)
As discussions advance, several themes recur: the role of innovation in safeguarding harvests, the environmental costs and benefits of gene editing, and the need for transparent, harmonized EU rules that speed useful innovations to farmers across member states. The overarching objective remains clear: enable more resilient agriculture that can withstand drought while protecting natural resources and ensuring a stable food supply. (Attribution: EU policy summaries)
First political conclusions
The core aim is to produce an initial set of political conclusions during this phase, with a view toward a broader, more detailed regulatory path in subsequent rounds. Planas underscored that even if comprehensive legislation cannot be finalized immediately, progress can be made so that future presidencies can carry the work forward. This pragmatic stance reflects Spain’s leadership during its EU Council tenure. (Attribution: EU Council notes)
The discussion also touched on how genomic techniques relate to existing frameworks for pesticide use and agricultural regulation. Planas argued that every decision must tether increased food production to environmental stewardship, ensuring balance between yields and ecological integrity. He reaffirmed the need for coherent policy that does not isolate technology from its wider social and ecological context. (Attribution: agricultural policy briefings)
Finally, the minister highlighted the importance of continuing exchange within the EU. The questions before ministers center on which techniques deliver the strongest climate benefits for food production, and how those techniques can be supported consistently across the union. The aim is to align technology with practical farming realities, enabling farmers to adapt while meeting environmental commitments. (Attribution: EU ministers’ remarks)