Klimaatverandering centraal tijdens overleg (en)

In connection with the Commission’s report on agriculture and climate, the impact of climate change was one of the subjects discussed at the Council meeting on 13th july of agriculture and fisheries ministers. “Today’s meeting has been constructive with interesting discussions on several important issues. The climate is one of Sweden’s most important priorities. The meeting showed that major initiatives are required to adapt agriculture to the new reality and that agriculture has the potential to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Minister for Agriculture Eskil Erlandsson after the meeting.

On 13 July, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council met in Brussels. This was the first meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the Swedish Presidency. Minister for Agriculture Eskil Erlandsson chaired the meeting and gave a presentation on the Presidency’s priorities in the area. The Council was then given a presentation of the Commission’s proposal on an extension of the intervention periods for butter and skimmed milk powder. The Commission also presented a communication on a coherent strategy for a European Agricultural Research Agenda, as well as a document addressing the adaptation of the EU’s agriculture and rural areas to a changing climate. The ministers also made a decision on certain plant protection products.

The Presidency’s work programme

Minister for Agriculture Eskil Erlandsson gave a presentation of the Swedish Presidency’s three priorities in the area of agriculture and fisheries: long-term sustainable fisheries, food and climate – the global challenges, and sound animal husbandry and healthy animals.

Plant protection products

The Council made a decision on five active substances that are used in pesticides. The decision means that three of the substances (diphenylamine, triazoxide and biophentrine) will be banned. The use of the substance tetraconazole will continue to be permitted, but under strict conditions. The substance metam will have an extended phasing-out period, with restricted use.

Extended intervention periods for butter and skimmed milk powder

At the Council meeting, the Commission presented a proposal to extend the intervention period for butter and skimmed milk powder beyond 31 August 2009 and possibly even 2010. The Commission deems this necessary, as the market is still unbalanced. A number of Member States supported the proposal. The extension means that the Member States’ intervention bodies will continue to stockpile butter and skimmed milk powder, even after the established intervention period (1 March–31 August). However, the extension in the proposal only applies until the next intervention period. The ministers will decide on the proposal at the Council meeting in October. A report from the Commission on the situation on the milk market will be presented on 22 July. The report will form the basis for an extended debate on the situation on the milk market at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 7 September (moved from 28–29 September). 

Adaptation to climate change: the challenge for EU’s agriculture and rural areas

The Council was given a presentation of the Commission’s working document addressing the adaptation of the EU’s agriculture and rural areas to a changing climate. The document is part of the Commission’s white paper “Adapting to climate change”. The document briefly describes the most significant effects of climate change on the EU’s agriculture and the need for measures to adapt agriculture and rural areas to climate change. The presentation was followed by a discussion in which all the Member States participated. In the discussion, there was a particular focus on water and land issues, new conditions for animals and plants, and the importance of research. The discussion is an introduction to the debate on agriculture and the climate that will be held at the informal meeting of agriculture and fisheries ministers that will take place in Växjö on 13–15 September. 

A coherent strategy for the European Agricultural Research Agenda

The Commission also presented its communication “Towards a coherent strategy for a European Agricultural Research Agenda”. In the subsequent discussion, the ministers noted that advanced agricultural research is necessary in order to resolve the challenges facing agriculture in terms of climate change, food security and energy issues.

The European Agricultural Research Agenda is part of the vision to create a common research agenda within the EU (the European Research Agenda). The intention is to strengthen the EU’s research profile and competitiveness. Cooperation on research has advanced the furthest within the agricultural sector.