Finance Minister Blocks Agriculture Minister's Food Security Plan

A government proposal by Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter to establish food security as a national goal and approve a strategic plan for the sector until 2050 was removed from the agenda following objections from Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The proposal will be delayed until a joint economic discussion between the ministries takes place.

The Finance Ministry's opposition, described as strong and resolute, warned that the plan was an "end-run" orchestrated with the backing of the agricultural lobby to thwart agricultural reform and preserve existing planning, tariff, and quota mechanisms. The ministry argued that approving the plan as is would immediately increase the cost of basic food items and fuel the rising cost of living.

Dichter's plan aimed to inject billions of shekels into agriculture, secure water quotas, expand land allocation, and increase foreign worker permits. In contrast, the Finance Ministry demanded that any government support be contingent on increased competition, opening the market to imports, removing barriers, and abolishing production councils.

The Agriculture Ministry rejected the Finance Ministry's claims as "unprofessional," with Minister Dichter emphasizing that the plan, developed over two years with six government ministries and professionals, is intended to ensure Israel's food independence against climate and security challenges.

Following the rejection, the Finance and Agriculture ministers must reach an agreement in a joint economic discussion before the proposal can be reconsidered.