Credit: MA

Luxembourg's Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development (MA) has published its activity report for the year 2021 illustrating its work during the year.

The report presents Luxembourg's agricultural policy and the situation of agriculture, viticulture, farms and markets. The activities of the administrations under the supervision of the MA, namely the Rural Economy Service, the Administration of Technical Agriculture Services, the National Land Consolidation Office, the Administration of Veterinary Services and the Wine Institute are detailed.

Several milestones marked the year 2021. On 1 January 2021, Luxembourg banned the use and sale of glyphosate, thus becoming a pioneering country in Europe. Generally speaking, agricultural policy is moving towards sustainable and fair farming methods, in line with the vision of "agriculture+" and in line with the marked interest of consumers in regional, seasonal products, from short circuits. In this context, the new platform www.klimacheck.lu allows any farmer to make a quick and free diagnosis of the climate and energy performance of his farm.

Measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted agriculture and viticulture. The recovery plan for agriculture (2020-2023) “consolidate – promote – innovate” has been implemented, and a specific support plan for the pig sector has been added.

The national strategic plan (PSN) through which the Grand Duchy transposes the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 into a national agricultural policy was prepared in exchange with the sector and opened for public consultation. Preparations for a new land law based on the PSN have advanced.

The PAN Bio2025 plan for the development of organic farming has decoupled a dynamic at the level of conversions as well as pilot projects aimed at increasing the share of organic regional agricultural products in public canteens.

The European initiative LEADER (Link between actions for the development of the rural economy) celebrated 30 years of existence in 2021. Coordinated by the MA, it will have brought together 575 diversified and innovative projects in rural areas in cooperation with local actors.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Consumer Protection have tabled the bill aimed at implementing a coherent and participatory food policy.

The active fight against food waste was one of the other priorities. The new action "Gielt Band, hei dierft Dir plécken" organised in cooperation with Syvicol has met with strong mobilisation from the municipalities.

The budget for the 2021 financial year allocated to agriculture, viticulture and rural development amounted to €81,394,198 (excluding staff) and represents 0.42% of the total budget planned for the State.