Food safety
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 5th sitting, information briefing
Date: 2025-05-07 15:39
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 8m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The Riigikogu discussed food security within the framework of the fourth question, addressed to Regional and Agricultural Minister Hendrik Terras. The dependence of Estonian food production on imports and the competitiveness of local producers have received increased attention in recent years, and in response to the question, emphasis was placed on the need for a clear and sustainable plan to ensure food security. The discussion highlighted that dependence on imports and climate and geopolitical risks increase vulnerability; it was noted the need to create a robust strategy for supporting producers, ensuring supply security, and crisis preparedness.
The Minister responded that a four-component principle has been developed to strengthen food security: firstly, improving the balance between food consumption and production, and exploring development opportunities, especially in the field of vegetables and berries; secondly, the sustainability and crisis safety of companies, including the creation of battery storage and the provision of generators to continue production in the event of power outages; thirdly, securing foreign trade and supply chains and maintaining our own inputs production and supply; fourthly, reserves and crisis food, national reserves and the functioning of crisis shops in crisis situations. He specified that crisis plans have been developed for crisis situations and long-term supply security has been established. There, it was clarified that the functioning of shops and supply channels during crisis periods must ensure people's food security.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were made at this session.
Most Active Speaker
The name of the most active speaker is regional and agricultural minister B7Mk-PeTvgo. He represents an official position as a member of the government (position: other - political role), and his presentation included several important responses regarding food security measures.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Member of the Riigikogu Aleksandr Tšaplõgin submits his fourth question to the Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Terras on the topic of food security.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
They warned that Estonia's agriculture is in a systematic decline, the dependence on food imports is increasing, and without a clear national plan and a stable support structure Estonia may lose control over its food production in the coming years.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Regional and Agricultural Minister Hendrik Johannes Terras said that in recent years there have been major challenges, and in response the state has compensated the losses and drawn up a four-step plan for food security: improving the balance between consumption and production (primarily for vegetables and berries), ensuring sustainable production by companies during power outages with battery and generator systems, securing foreign trade and local inputs during crises, and planning national and people’s own stocks and the operation of crisis shops.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The chairman Lauri Hussar thanks and asks Aleksandr Tšaplõgin to present a clarifying question.
Aleksandr Tšaplõgin
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Alexander Chaplygin admitted that the answer wasn't concrete enough, and pointed out that we cover only 70% of the potato needs, we produce only a third of the pork, there are no hatcheries for rearing chicks for poultry, and he asked what exactly is planned to improve the situation.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
Terras said that pork is very popular among Estonians, and supply security depends on the control of African swine fever, which is done in cooperation with hunters to obtain a better picture of the distribution of wildlife, and there is discussion about bringing a hatchery to Estonia and about supplying inputs to poultry-keeping companies.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Vladimir Arhipov poses an additional question.
Vladimir Arhipov
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
In recent years, food prices have risen rapidly, and energy, labor, and climate changes are turning food security into an economic and geopolitical issue, and he or she asks whether the government is considering reducing the VAT on food to ease the situation for both consumers and local producers.
Regionaal- ja põllumajandusminister Hendrik Johannes Terras
AI Summary
In summary, it is said that tax policy is indeed the domain of the Ministry of Finance, but since it is related to food, one must look at the big picture and assess how much it would actually help agriculture, because the impact is not certain, and at the same time the state budget and the geopolitical situation push to buy more weapons, the exact impact of which must be assessed by the Ministry of Finance.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Today the consideration of the fourth question will be completed.