Credit: MAVPC

Luxembourg Minister of Agriculture, Viticulture and Consumer Protection Fernand Etgen highlighted the need for a coherent approach towards the detection of the African swine flu virus in Belgium at the informal meeting of Agriculture Ministers in Schloss Hof, Austria that took place from 23-25 September 2018.

Given the recent detection of the African swine flu virus in wild boars in the Belgian province of Luxembourg, Belgium Minister Denis Ducarme underlined that currently only the wild sector is concerned. He also thanked his Luxembourg counterpart for the close cooperation in this context.

Nevertheless, Minister Fernand Etgen said he was very worried about the detection of this virus in the immediate vicinity of the Luxembourg border. He drew attention to the need for a coherent and concerted approach between the European Commission, the regions and the actors concerned in order to avoid the risk of the spread of this virus. He also supported the recent measures taken by the Belgian Minister, which he considered necessary to prevent the spread of the virus.

Ministers also discussed the challenges of producing quality agricultural products and the reform of the future post-2020 CAP. In this context, Minister Fernand Etgen expressed his support for the approach of a two-pillar, coherent and complementary CAP. Given the diversity of agriculture in the EU, Fernand Etgen emphasised his belief that it is in the context of diversity that the work of the future CAP must be articulated by giving a high degree of flexibility and flexibility in its implementation by the Member States. The Luxembourg Minister of Agriculture also stressed the importance of consistent support for young farmers.