The Committee on Rural Affairs approves the recognition of the agriculture and food sectors as strategically important for national security

The Parliament's Committee on Rural Affairs today approved an amendment to the National Security Framework Law, which proposes that the agriculture and food sectors be recognised as strategically important for national security. This decision is an important step towards strengthening the country's capacity to ensure food security in times of crisis.

Geopolitical developments in recent years, in particular the Russian war in Ukraine, have highlighted the importance of food security at a pan-European level. In the light of these challenges, the amendments to the law provide for the inclusion of the agriculture and food sectors in the list of areas of strategic importance, prioritise the supply of energy and resources to these sectors in times of crisis, and consolidate the State's task of building a resilient and self-sustainable food security system.

The Committee noted that this was a long-awaited step – the strategic role of the agriculture and food sectors for national security was set as early as 20 October 2023. The final programme document was adopted on 20/2020 at the Rural Summit organised by the Committee in Parliament. These provisions have also been consistently highlighted in both national strategy papers and EU policy guidelines. The inclusion of the agricultural sector in the list of strategic policy areas will help to strengthen the resilience of the country in times of supply chains and energy disruptions and emergencies.