Europese landbouwministers nemen vijf besluiten (en)

More effective fisheries control system

In November the Council took a decision on a new control system for European fisheries. The regulation is the largest in the area for many years and aims above all to remedy the problems of illegal fishing. It means that in future consumers can feel more confident that the fish sold in the shop has been caught legally. Fishermen who break the rules and countries that fail to introduce effective controls will be liable to have their licences withdrawn and may incur reduced fishing quotas and deductions from the assistance they receive from the European Fisheries Fund. The new rules are also intended to level the playing field for European fishermen and cut red tape.

New fishing quotas decided

Every year EU fisheries ministers decide on the total allowable catch (TAC) for the most important fisheries stocks and quotas for the EU fishing fleet. Fisheries stocks have to be in balance for long-term exploitation. In October the Council agreed on quotas for the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea and in December decisions were taken on quotas for the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea. The decisions include a ban on catches of spiny dogfish and porbeagle from 2010. The ban on high-grading, ie dumping dead fish back into the sea, will be extended in 2010 as well to apply to all fishing in the EU water.

Rules against illegally logged timber

In December political agreement was reached on rules concerning the obligations of companies selling timber and wood products in the EU. The aim is to minimise the risk of illegally logged timber, or products made from such timber, being available in the EU market. The rules focus on the responsibilities of companies and state that entrepreneurs must ensure as far as possible that the timber has been harvested legally.

Better protection for experimental animals

After intensive work, the Council and the European Parliament reached agreement in December on a proposed directive to improve the protection of animals used in scientific experiments. The proposed directive will introduce a requirement to ethically assess every test and binding provisions on how such animals are to be kept and looked after. In addition, staff working with experimental animals will be made subject to education and skills requirements. The proposed directive also entails coordination of legislation on experimental animals between the Member States.

Support for the milk market

Against the backdrop of sharp declines in prices since their peak in mid-2008, the Council took several decisions on support to the dairy sector during autumn 2009. The Council extended the intervention period for butter and skimmed milk powder and introduced a voluntary quota buy-back scheme. EUR 300 million will go to temporary extra support measures for the milk sector in 2010.