Luxembourg Emphasises Importance of Alliance with Farmers

Luxembourg Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, Martine Hansen, represented Luxembourg at the sixteenth Conference of Ministers of Agriculture in Berlin, the culmination of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) which brought together more than 80 ministers of Agriculture under the auspices of the German Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir.

According to Luxembourg’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, faced with the “zero hunger” objective, the climate emergency, the decline in biodiversity and armed conflicts, the challenges to be met to ensure food security have multiplied. At the GFFA forum, ministers shared their vision on the future of our food systems and the eradication of hunger and malnutrition.

During a panel discussion, Minister Hansen said: “I welcome the fact that this forum facilitates international dialogue on agricultural and food policy. We must work quickly and together to promote sustainable agriculture and robust supply chains. […] In Luxembourg, our agricultural and food policy instruments promote more sustainable production of our food. We encourage climate-adapted, resilient and eco-responsible growing practices and promote holistic food security. We have also strengthened our strategy of reducing plant protection products, combating food waste, and promoting our regional and organic products to consumers.”

Martine Hansen defended the idea of allying with farmers: “In Luxembourg, we have noticed that it is flexible and reasoned measures which are the most successful and which encourage our farmers to produce sustainably.”

In the final joint statement, ministers committed to working towards sustainable food systems, resilient supply chains and supporting stakeholders in rural areas, including women and youth.

On the sidelines of the forum, Minister Hansen had a bilateral exchange with her Saarland counterpart, Petra Berg. Martine Hansen also visited the “Grüne Woche” (International Green Week) trade fair dedicated to food, agriculture and horticulture, which was held at the same time in Berlin.