German agricultural ministers call for innovation and food sovereignty

German agricultural ministers have issued statements marking World Food Day, emphasizing the necessity of innovation and domestic strength to combat global food insecurity.

Christine Schneider, the Minister for Agriculture and the Environment in Rhineland-Palatinate, highlighted that technological advancements in areas such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, and genomic techniques are essential to meet the needs of a growing global population. She expressed concern regarding the hesitation in wealthy nations to adopt new technologies, such as gene technology, which she views as vital for sustainable and resilient food systems.

In Bavaria, Minister Michaela Kaniber stressed that food security must be treated as a core political task. She argued that international responsibility and domestic food sovereignty are interconnected, warning against the risks of over-reliance on global markets. Kaniber noted that geopolitical tensions and climate change have made food systems vulnerable, suggesting that food can be used as political leverage by major powers. She called for strengthening local agricultural production to ensure reliable supply chains.