Industry groups support extending agricultural agreements

Only one submission was received on proposed amendments to agricultural products legislation and the extension of agricultural agreements, mbl.is reports. The submission was sent to the ministry by the Association of Industries and the Association of Companies in Agriculture, known as SAFL.

The consultation deadline was 10 August. SAFL said it welcomed the proposal to extend the agreements until 31 December 2027.

The association said giving the parties more time and flexibility was a logical step as representatives of the agricultural sector and the authorities work towards a shared long-term vision for the sector’s operating conditions and support system.

The current agricultural agreements were signed in 2016 for a period of 10 years. They have been reviewed several times without significant changes, as the parties agreed to begin negotiations on the sector’s future operating conditions immediately.

SAFL stressed the importance of maintaining stability while talks on a future support system continue. It said no major or burdensome changes should be made to the sector’s operating conditions outside the agricultural agreement process during this period.

“Predictability is a key prerequisite for the parties to develop a successful and shared vision for the future, for the benefit of everyone in the country,” the submission said.