The 'Agriculture' Council meeting took place yesterday in Brussels, chaired by the Luxembourg Minister for Agriculture, Viticulture and Consumer Protection, Fernand Etgen.

The meeting focused on the Commission's proposal on GMOs; the priorities and work programme of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the EU for the next six months; the evaluation of the progress made by programmes aimed at supplying fruit, vegetables and milk in schools; and the impact of the ban imposed by Russia on the import of EU agricultural products.

Speaking on the work programme in the agricultural and fisheries sectors, Fernand Etgen stressed the need to make sustainability the fundamental principle of the development of European agriculture for the future, and to take into account the economic and social dimension of the matter as well as factors related to health and the environment.

The following priorities were outlined by the Minister:
- Simplification of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in order to make the regulatory system more practical, whilst retaaining its purpose and effectiveness;
- Beginning of negotiations with the European Parliament on organic agriculture in order to establish a regulatory framework adapted to new challenges;
- Continuation and finalisation of discussions regarding the fruit, vegetables and milk programme for schools;
- Following of market developments, including the agricultural import ban imposed by Russia on the EU and the expiry of milk quotas, as well as sugar quotas in the near future;
- Monitoring of developments in discussions related to future trade agreements, both bilateral and multilateral
- Establishing of an agreement with the European Parliament concerning new regulations to be passed on the matter of phytosanitary deprotection;
- Conclusion of an agreement with the European Parliament on the legislative proposal regarding zootechnical and genealogical conditions of EU imports of breedings animals and their produce;
- Continuation of work on the issues of medicated feed and veterinary drugs for animals;
- Establishing of a compromise between the Member States regarding the regulation of the food chain, with the objective of creating a single unified market;
- Revision on the authorisation procedure of GMOs in food and animal feed.

The Luxembourg Presidency stated that the global challenge of climate change represents another major priority and will be discussed at the informal meeting in September 2015.

On the matter of fishing, the Presidency conveyed its intent to ensure that the principle of maximum sustainable yield be enforced and employed as the basis for quota decisions on fishing opportunities for 2016. It also intends to restart negotiations with the European Parliament on the multiannual management plan for the Baltic, and attempt to reach agreement on the issue of deep sea fisheries, ensuring sustainable exploitation of fish stocks.

The Commission presented to ministers a paper entitled "Review of the decision-making on genetically modified organisms (GMOs)", as well as a draft regulation regarding the possibility for Member States to restrict or prohibit, on their territory, the use of genetically-modified food for animals.

During the exchange of views among ministers, a large majority of delegations expressed reservations about the Commission's proposal. They cited the lack of an impact study as grounds for their doubts about the legal certainty of the proposal and its compatibility with the internal market rules of the EU and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The Council therefore mandated that the working group of the Council further analyse the technical aspects of the proposal, "in particular the impact of the proposal and the compatibility with the rules of the internal market and with those of the WTO," commented Fernand Etgen to the press. "As requested by several delegations the Legal Service is asked to submit a written notice on the subject."

"5 out of 28 Member States are largely dependent on soybean imports to feed their livestock," stated the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis. "The worldwide availability of non-GM soybeans is very limited."

After the Council, the Commissioner defended the Commission's proposal, which he deemed 'balanced' and a guarantee of more 'subsidiarity in the system'. This would accord Member States with a legal basis for an opt-out, provided that the latter remains non-discriminatory.

The Commission also briefed ministers on the progress of the evaluation of distribution programmes of fruits, vegetables and milk in schools. The programmes were cited by Minister Etgen as "tangible example of what the Union can do to promote healthy eating habits among young people, whilst supporting certain agricultural markets."

After the Council, he added: "Many delegations recalled the difference between the Council and the Commission on the question of a legal basis. We are, however, convinced that it is possible to find a solution, both with regards to the legal basis and other outstanding issues."

The Commission briefed ministers on the evolution of the market and, in particular, of the impact of the EU market, as well as the import ban on EU agricultural products enacted by Russia in August 2014 and recently extended.

"The monitoring of agricultural markets in difficulty is one of the priorities of our Presidency," said Fernand Etgen after the Council. "We want to be regularly informed on the evolution of sectors in difficulty in order to react if necessary."

The Council also heard and discussed the concerns raised by national delegations. "A number of countries have submitted notes on specific sectors: Group Višegrad, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia for milk; Italy for the sugar sector and Austria for pork," stated Minister Etgen, noting that several delegations have supported these demands. "The Presidency will continue to closely monitor market developments and will not hesitate to bring the subject back to the attention of Ministers if necessary," he concluded.

 

Photo by the EU (Luxembourg Minister for Agriculture, Viticulture and Consumer Protection, Fernand Etgen)