On the Importance of the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organization (KOAP) in the implementation of agricultural policy and the timely distribution of available resources to the agricultural sector was highlighted by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment, Christos Senekis, during his visit on Wednesday to the Agency’s offices in Nicosia.
Mr. Senekis described KOAP as a “key pillar of implementation” for agricultural policy, noting that the Ministry formulates policy and secures resources, while the Organization puts the policy into action by channeling the available resources to producers. He thanked Commissioner for Agricultural Payments Andreas Kyprianou and his colleagues for their professionalism and close cooperation, noting that the common goal is for available resources to reach where they are needed in a timely manner and to support the agricultural community.
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For his part, Mr. Kyprianou welcomed the Minister to the KOA and congratulated him on his appointment, expressing his confidence that cooperation between the Ministry and the Agency will continue with the aim of improving the primary sector. As he noted, the Ministry sets the strategy and KOAP implements it, adding that the goal is to fully utilize European funds during the current programming period and to create the conditions, through the new period, to increase the primary sector’s contribution to the Gross National Product. At the same time, he noted that KOAP is making accurate and timely payments to farmers, livestock breeders, and processors.
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West Nile Virus
When asked about the confirmation by the Veterinary Services of the presence of the West Nile virus in horses in the Paralimni area, Mr. Senekis said that the epidemiological situation is being monitored and there is no cause for concern, as, he noted, there is no transmission from animal to animal or from animal to human. He added that, where necessary, measures will be strengthened.
Price Increases
In response to a question about rising fuel and energy prices and their impact on production costs and food prices, the Minister stated that the Ministry of Agriculture has submitted a proposal to the Council of Ministers for a subsidy of €1.5 million.
As he explained, the proposal addresses the rise in energy costs, specifically agricultural diesel, as well as the cost of fertilizers, with the aim of partially alleviating the burden faced by producers due to rising production costs.
Source: KYPE
