A joint declaration urging stronger EU action on sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture was adopted on Friday at the conference of the heads of agriculture committees from the national parliaments of Mediterranean EU member states, hosted in Nicosia.

The delegates reaffirmed their commitment to coordinated action and urged the EU to prioritise the unique needs of Mediterranean agriculture in future policymaking.

The declaration calls on EU institutions to develop a climate-resilient Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027, strengthen water resilience through targeted investments in infrastructure and technology, and improve the position of farmers within the agri-food supply chain.

Emphasising the disproportionate impact of climate change and water scarcity on southern member states, the declaration points out the urgent need for structural reform of the EU’s agricultural framework.

It advocates for the full integration of Mediterranean-specific priorities into EU funding mechanisms, including investments in modern irrigation systems, water recycling and desalination technologies.

The declaration furthermore calls for support for precision agriculture and research on climate-resilient crops and the protection of smallholder farmers through measures that promote generational renewal, such as access to housing, land and training for young farmers.

It also proposes the inclusion of reciprocity clauses in EU trade agreements to shield local producers from unfair competition, dedicated funding for water resilience in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and a strategic prioritisation of Mediterranean agriculture in EU rural policy.

The declaration urges greater involvement of national parliaments in shaping and monitoring CAP strategic plans, to ensure that the voices of producers and rural regions are adequately reflected in EU decision-making processes.

The meeting, held at the initiative of House agriculture committee chairman MP Yiannakis Gavriel, aimed at enhancing interparliamentary cooperation on shared agricultural challenges across the Mediterranean region.

Delegates from Spain, France, Croatia, Italy and Cyprus participated in the meeting, which was also attended by EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen, experts, academics and representatives of farming organisations.

Discussions were structured around three thematic sessions, namely the impacts of the climate crisis, water scarcity and geopolitical tensions on the agricultural sector, the future of food and farming, focusing on the EU’s strategic shift towards sustainable agri-food systems and producer support, and national legislative initiatives and best practices promoting resilience and sustainability.