Agriculture and Fisheries Council

An agreement has been reached on the revision of the total allowable catch (TAC) for cod stocks in the English Channel and the Irish Sea, in addition to rules for the catch of Atlantic red tuna weighing less than 30 kg. Numerous joint proposals have been put forward during the first six months of 2008 by France, the United Kingdom and Ireland to resolve the question of the cod catch which had been pending since December 2007. For red tuna, the agreement specifies the implementation of the rules laid down by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas allowing small fishing vessels to catch red tuna of under 30 kg within the limits of strict rules.

Agreement has been reached on the partnership agreement with Mauritania which has been renegotiated to allow the reopening of fishing opportunities for Community vessels which had been closed since the beginning of the year.

The Council also discussed the issue of the diesel crisis. To this end, the Commission published an emergency communication on 8 July outlining proposed measures for a temporary Community response to facilitate the adaptation of the fisheries sector to the serious consequences caused by the high price of diesel. The European Parliament expressed a favourable opinion on this question on 10 July.

The Council held a policy debate on the different points of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 'Health Check' based on the four main proposals put forward by the Presidency: modulation, market management mechanisms, milk quotas and cross-compliance. The Council noted the positions expressed by the delegations and the Commission’s responses:

• a majority of Member States expressed concerns that the modulation-rate proposed by the Commission is too high;
• a majority of Member States is in favour of retaining the efficient supply regulation mechanisms and wishes to amend the Commission’s proposal to modify the market management mechanisms currently in force for the cereals and milk sectors;
• the Council agreed on the need to gradually phase out milk quotas but Member States failed to reach an agreement on how this objective can be achieved;
• the vast majority of Member States wishes to see greater flexibility in the application of the agricultural and environmental standards which dictate the amount of aid farmers receive.

The Council invited the preparatory bodies to continue examining the Commission’s proposals on the CAP ‘Health Check’ and reminded participants of the aim to reach a political agreement in November 2008.

The Commission then submitted to the Council its proposal for the free distribution of fruit and vegetables in schools – an initiative that was first raised at the time of the reform of the common organisation of the markets in fruit and vegetables in May 2007. This important proposal was submitted in response to concerns about public health, particularly that of young children. The Council invited the Special Agriculture Committee to examine the proposal in greater detail with a view to preparing a report for consideration at a future session of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

The Council also reviewed progress in the WTO negotiations prior to the ministerial meeting in Geneva from 21 July. Mariann Fisher Boel, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, submitted to the Council her analysis of the agricultural situation and what possible outcomes could be expected from the ministerial meeting. Discussions confirmed the worries of many Member States about current developments and their general view that negotiations are not being conducted on a fair basis. They also stressed the risks facing European agriculture and underlined the aim of reaching a fair settlement as well as re-balancing negotiations to this end. The Commission confirmed that it would be extremely vigilant in defending European agriculture. With the support of the Presidency, it strongly urged ministers to attend the Geneva talks next week. Michel Barnier informed the Council that he would be present throughout the entire Geneva meeting starting on 21 July.

The Council’s debates on the two proposals to place products containing genetically modified soybean and cotton on the market failed to reach the necessary qualified majority for a Council decision to be taken. In accordance with procedural rules, the decision will now be resubmitted to the Commission.

Michel Barnier invited his fellow ministers and the Commission to take part in the informal meeting he is to host at Annecy on 21-23 September 2008. He announced that the agenda is to focus on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Practical information:
A video transmission of the public events will be available here: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/videostreaming

• Updated: 23.12.2008

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