Panayiotou stresses need to tackle drought in agriculture at EU Council

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 26, 2024

Minister for Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, talked about the effects of drought on Cyprus, as well as the measures that the EU can take to support the agricultural sector across Europe, and presented the recent joint statement by the MED9 on the issue, during the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the EU held in Brussels.

During a discussion on the state of agricultural markets in the EU, Panayiotou referred to the significant impact that a prolonged drought has had on Cyprus, resulting in significantly reduced yields for irrigated and non-irrigated crops, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment said in a press release on Wednesday.

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The Minister, the press release adds, “pointed out that, due to limited water availability in dams, water supply for agricultural purposes has been reduced by 33.7% for 2024, while the forecasts for the following years are not favourable.”

Panayiotou called on the European Commission to activate the agricultural reserve to provide support to affected farmers, but also to further simplify support measures related to water management under the Common Agricultural Policy.

During the meeting, the Minister also presented the joint statement on the impact of drought on the primary sector, which was issued by the Ministers of Agriculture of the nine Mediterranean EU Member States (MED9) during a recent meeting in Cyprus.

Panayiotou referred specifically to the need for a collective response to this phenomenon that threatens food production and the social fabric of rural areas in the EU and pointed out that the joint statement reflects the practical commitment of the Mediterranean Member States to find solutions that will allow sustainable water management and will be included in EU policies.

According to the press release, the joint communication of the MED9 received the support of other Member States, in addition to the countries that had signed it in Cyprus.

During a working lunch, Professor Peter Strohschneider presented his report on the results of the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture, which was presented in early September at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Panayiotou said she supports the need to further target support for farmers, with a focus on small and medium-sized farms and young farmers, as mentioned in the report. She also stressed the importance of promoting new technologies and innovation in agricultural production.

She also noted that the proposal to create two funds independent of the CAP, such as the fair transition fund and the nature restoration fund, should not limit appropriations which will be available through the next CAP in the future.

The Agriculture Minister said that Cyprus agrees with the proposed reform of the agricultural reserve, pointing out the need for a more flexible crisis management framework that will provide adequate support to farmers and allow for faster and simplified procedures, adapted to local needs and specificities.

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NERDs Replace FIRE As Young Workers Lose Confidence In Retirement

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 4, 2026

The FIRE movement promised younger workers a path to financial independence and early retirement. Now, a different group is emerging in the UK: NERDs, or the “Never Ever Retiring Demographic.”

Growing pessimism among Gen Z and millennials is driving the shift, with many questioning whether retirement will ever be financially achievable. Some are responding by reducing or abandoning pension contributions altogether.

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Young Workers Are Losing Confidence In Retirement

Research from People’s Pension, a major UK workplace pension provider, found that 47% of Gen Z respondents aged 18 to 27 do not engage with their pension. Another 12%, equivalent to about 2.2 million young people, have stopped saving for retirement because they expect to work indefinitely.

Wider financial pressures are contributing to that outlook. High living costs have pushed milestones such as homeownership, marriage, having children and retirement further away for many younger workers, while inflation, layoffs and stagnant wages have added to uncertainty.

Pension Providers Face A Communication Gap

Financial pressure is only part of the problem. Young workers also say pension providers are failing to explain long-term saving in ways that feel relevant to them.

About 36% of respondents said providers do not explain retirement saving effectively. Among them, 27% said companies appear more focused on selling products than educating customers, while 16% cited complicated language and jargon.

A clear generational difference emerges in the responses. Some 29% of Gen Z respondents said providers fail to explain why pension saving matters, compared with 13% of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. Similarly, 17% of Gen Z said providers do not use channels they engage with, versus 4% among older generations.

Clearer information could influence behavior. About 70% of Gen Z respondents said they would have started saving earlier if they had known that beginning in their 20s could potentially double their retirement pot compared with starting in their 30s. Another 63% said learning about tax relief and employer contributions motivated them to save.

“In a world where financial doom dominates pension conversations, young savers are tuning out,” said Kirsty Ross, proposition director at People’s Pension. “Our research shows they are not disengaged because they don’t care, they are disengaged because the messages aren’t working.”

Young Savers Want Simpler Tools

Progress bars and goal trackers were among the most popular tools respondents said could make pensions more relevant, cited by 31%. Another 26% wanted reassurance that they could start with small amounts, while 23% wanted examples of what people their age are doing.

Clear, bite-sized steps were cited by 22%, while 19% said light-hearted and relatable stories could make pensions more accessible.

People’s Pension has responded with Pension Drop, a campaign using social media influencers, live events and lifestyle personalities to encourage conversations about retirement saving.

“Looking back, I really wish I’d started earlier,” said Iain Stirling, comedian, TV presenter and Pension Drop ambassador. He said contributions made in someone’s 20s or 30s can make a significant difference later, while employer contributions and tax relief can increase the value of smaller payments.

Small Changes Can Improve Long-Term Saving

Stirling urged younger workers to check their pension provider, establish whether they have multiple pension pots and make sure they are contributing enough to receive the full employer match.

He also recommended increasing contributions after a pay rise or bonus, allowing workers to raise long-term savings without making a large immediate change to their spending.

For younger workers facing high living costs and uncertain career prospects, pension saving remains a difficult sell. Clearer information about employer contributions, tax relief and the long-term effect of starting early could help make retirement planning more tangible.

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