Portuguese agriculture minister urges COP31 to put farmers and fishers at centre of climate response

Speaking at COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, Portugal's Agriculture and Sea Minister José Manuel Fernandes said farmers, forest producers and fishers are part of the answer to climate change and food security. He called for more water storage and linked networks, greater investment in drought-resistant crops and research, a stronger EU crisis reserve backed by insurance and mutual funds, and a fairer share of value for primary producers. He also urged easier access to land, finance and training for young farmers. On the sidelines, he met his Turkish counterpart, and the two countries are finalising a forestry memorandum on sharing practice, including wildfire prevention.