Ljubljana - Farming in Slovenia has to be sustainable with an emphasis on economically efficient production, environment protection and social sustainability, said Irena Šinko, the candidate for agriculture minister, in her presentation at the relevant parliamentary committee, which endorsed her in a 10:4 vote today.

The agriculture sector is largely dependent on external factors such as prices fluctuations, outbreaks of diseases and pests, adverse weather conditions and war in the region, she said.

"Our goal must be to ensure future generations will have a healthy environment and enough clean natural resources such as water and soil for survival," Šinko said.

Food must be produced as locally, safely and traditionally as possible, and its supply must be undisrupted, she said, calling for efficient oversight over food origin.

Food processing must also be environmentally friendly, climate neutral and must preserve biodiversity. New, sustainable ways of farming must be developed and the use of phytopharmaceuticals reduced.

Organic farming must be encouraged in protected areas, she stressed.

Her goal will be to increase food self-sufficiency and make sure that as much of this food as possible is provided to public institutions.

As minister she will strive to strengthen fair partnership among stakeholders, while paying special attention to producers. She believes direct sale at farms should be increased.

A national programme of food self-sufficiency is to highlight the role of countryside and farmers, whose average age now is 62 and should be lowered, she said.

Between 1991 and 2021, farmland in Slovenia shrank by 14%, she warned, calling for investment in infrastructure and simplified procedures for turning land into agricultural land intended for food production.

Agriculture will also need to adjust to climate change by cutting green house gas emissions and through building greenhouses, using new technologies, irrigation systems, anti-hail protection and insurance.

She stressed the need for cooperation among institutions, stakeholders, experts and the civil society.

In forestry, she said she would like forests to stay open but those who cause damage there would need to be punished. The share of state forests should be increased, she added.

Asked about the setting up of new wood processing centres, she said it should first be determined how much wood was actually being cut in Slovenia and then see whether additional centres were needed.

She said state forest management should be improved to increase revenue and enable investments in the future.

As for game and hunting, she called for faster procedures for reimbursing farmers for the damage they suffer. She also plans to encourage beekeeping, especially among the young.

In fishing, the state will need to provide aid when fishing is restricted, she said.

Asked about the rising prices in agricultural production, she said the prices of artificial fertilizers soared, which meant farmers would "probably need to be assisted in every way".

She said there were two options. There is EUR 1.7 million in EU funds available to Slovenia and the state can add own funds to make up to EUR 5 million available to the most affected sectors.

Another option, launched by the European Commission, is one-off payments of up to EUR 15,000 per farm and up to EUR 100,000 per company. But an EU decree would need to be changed first and then also Slovenia's rural development programme.

As for possible measures in food prices regulation, she stressed that this was in the jurisdiction of the economy and finance ministries. But she did call for an action plan that would reduce food waste.