Sakis Arnaoutoglou calls for EU agricultural and fire prevention reforms

PASOK MEP Sakis Arnaoutoglou has made three interventions before the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development regarding the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and forest fire prevention.

Arnaoutoglou proposed an automatic European assessment process to be triggered when production costs—such as energy, feed, or fertilizers—exert prolonged pressure on an agricultural sector. He emphasized that the success of the new CAP should be measured by the maintenance of active agricultural holdings rather than just fund absorption. He warned that by the time producers reach their financial limits, it is often too late for intervention.

Regarding forest fires, the MEP called for a shift from reactive measures to a proactive prevention model. This includes strengthening the rescEU program, aerial resources, and personnel. In a related development regarding civil protection, 21 Greek firefighters are participating in the European Pre-deployment of European Firefighters program, with Cyprus also joining as a host country this year under the European Civil Protection Mechanism.