Agricultural diversity, and how it will become a competitive advantage for EU, was the key issue at the informal meeting of EU ministers of Agriculture, which was held in Athens on May 4-6, in the presence of EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Ciolos.

The meeting under the title "AGRidiverstity": the diversity of European agriculture at the heart of EU policies was an initiative of the Greek Presidency aiming to boost the contribution of farming to the long-term development of the economy, society and the environment; it sought to promote long-term farming development strategies that are based on farming diversity on a European level.

As Greek Agriculture and Food Minister Athanassios Tsaftaris noted, the main issue was how the diversity of productive systems will be turned into a strategic advantage. Further, the ministers stressed that agricultural diversity contributes to improved food security and competitiveness, in particular for successful adaptation to a constantly changing environment and climate.