To ensure food self-sufficiency, the Government ordered the Ministry to draft the amendments to the regulations in the field of efficient agricultural land protection in accordance with the findings of the Report. Furthermore, the Ministry must instigate the procedures to implement research relating to the economic, environmental, climate and social consequences of determining the minimum level of self-sufficiency in Slovenia.

The first part of the Report includes the clarification of fundamental terms occurring in connection with self-sufficiency, such as food security, food sovereignty and (food) self-sufficiency. The concept of self-sufficiency in the open market conditions is addressed and the method of measuring the level of self-sufficiency is also mentioned. The Report displays the situation in the field of achieving self-sufficiency and specifies the need for comprehensive expert research into the economic, environmental, climate and social consequences of determining the minimum sustainable level of national self-sufficiency as one of the key activities.

In the continuation, the Report focuses on agricultural land, which is the foundation for any food self-sufficiency, food security and food sovereignty. The Report discusses the situation and trends in the field of agricultural land use, whereby it relies on three types of data, which include agricultural land, i.e. intended use of agricultural land, the register of actual use and the register of agricultural holdings. It also features various systemic mechanisms applicable in Slovenia to protect and improve agricultural land. Within the framework of measures to improve agricultural land, the focus is on measures linked to irrigation and the elimination of overgrowth on agricultural land. The existing and planned national spatial plans from the aspect of agricultural land have also been analysed. 

In the conclusion, the Report provides proposed amendments to the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (SP 2023–2027) and outside the SP 2023–2027. It further highlights that the issue of food self-sufficiency is distinctly multifaceted, as it cannot be limited merely to agricultural policy or the SP 2023–2027.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food