Highlights of first Agri-Fish Council under the Croatian Presidency.
1/ Prior to the presentation of the new Presidency’s priorities, the Council adopted the European Parliament’s position (PE 1195/19) on financial discipline from 2021 and flexibility between pillars for the year 2020. The regulation is aimed at ensuring the continuity of payments for farmers in 2020.
2/ Minister Marija Vučković presented the Croatian Presidency’s priorities and program in agriculture.
3/ Regarding agriculture, Ministers have exchanged views over:
-the agricultural aspects of the European Green Deal,
-the proposal for a regulation on CAP transitional rules,
4/ Among the AOB, Spanish delegation presented a joint statement signed on 19 December 2019 by the Ministers of agriculture of Germany, Spain and France regarding the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (5404/20).
5/ Over lunch, Ministers discussed sustainability, innovation & research with US Secretary for Agriculture Sonny Perdue, with on-going bilateral trade tensions also on the menu (apples & pears, Spanish olive & tariffs on EU wine exports).
Any other business:
1) Germany has proposed the initiative of a harmonized and voluntary EU labeling for animal welfare to the Council. Health and Food Safety Commissioner Stella Kyriakides replied that ‘we will be moving forward on the animal welfare agenda’ and if need be beyond existing rules.
2) African Swine Fever – The Commission has presented the outcome of the Conference on “The future of global pork production under the threat of African swine fever”. MS highlighted that future production is still under threat and thanked the good cooperation. COM sees no reduction in funding against efforts.
3) The Joint statement of the Ministers of Agriculture of Germany, Spain and France on future CAP in the context of the European Green Deal was expressed as well.
4) Ministers also had a working lunch with US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. Among the items that were discussed were sustainability and innovation and research, who has expressed beforehand that EU should listen to science, not fear-mongering NGOs when it comes to food and food production methods.
Main outcomes of the Agri-Fish Council Meeting are available here.
=> Next meeting of the Agri-Fish Council in March 23-24
full report of the Council available on FE Members area