The proposal has triggered criticism and counter-proposals from opposition parties, which argue that temporary committees cannot address the deep and structural crisis facing agricultural production.

SYRIZA proposes a permanent National agricultural policy council

SYRIZA proposes the establishment of a permanent National agricultural policy council under the responsibility and supervision of Parliament, as an institutional response to the long-standing crisis in the primary sector.

In a letter to the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Socrates Famellos stresses that the aim is to formulate and implement a coherent, long-term national agricultural strategy. He argues that rising production costs, shrinking farm incomes, climate change, recurring zoonoses, mismanagement of European funds and the absence of a strong national stance in negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy have pushed the sector into a multi-level crisis.

Famellos underlines that the prime minister’s proposal for an inter-party committee is insufficient, describing it as a temporary structure with a limited role that risks serving as a communication tool rather than a solution. He calls instead for a permanent body with broad participation, including political parties, farmers and cooperatives, the scientific and academic community, and local government representatives.

According to SYRIZA, such a council could function as a stable mechanism for dialogue, strategic planning and monitoring, capable of supporting negotiations on the new CAP, addressing production and climate crises, safeguarding farm incomes and revitalising the countryside.

PASOK calls for a National committee on agricultural production and food resilience

PASOK also rejected the government’s approach, submitting its own proposal for the establishment of a National committee for agricultural production and food resilience.

Addressing Parliament, PASOK parliamentary spokesperson Dimitris Mantzos stated that his party supports dialogue in principle, but not what he described as a superficial and belated initiative by the government. He argued that the ND proposal confirms that, seven years into its term, the government lacks a coherent policy for agricultural production.

PASOK’s proposal envisages a committee with a clear structure, mission and timetable, focusing on substantive dialogue with producers and the scientific community, rather than temporary or communicative solutions. Mantzos stressed that real dialogue must be based on documented proposals and realistic solutions, not pretexts and evasions.

The debate highlights the growing pressure on the government over the primary sector, as well as the contrasting approaches between a temporary inter-party committee and demands for permanent, institutional mechanisms to shape agricultural policy.

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