Hongaars voorzitterschap voor sterk gezamenlijk landbouw- en visserijbeleid (en)

The Hungarian Presidency presented its six-month programme at the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels, on 24 January 2011. Acting as President of the meeting, Minister for Rural Development, Sándor Fazekas, pointed out that the Hungarian Presidency’s motto is “Strong Europe”, which calls for a strong common agricultural and fisheries policy.

Presided by Minister for Rural Development, Sándor Fazekas, the Council discussed the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Germany gave an account of the dioxin crisis, and the Commission talked about the state of bee health. The ministers adopted a common position on the Parliament and the Council’s joint consumer directive and found solution for the problem of the pig meat market.

Agricultural program of the Presidency

The Hungarian Presidency wishes to contribute to the modernisation of the CAP, said Sándor Fazekas. The Hungarian Presidency’s motto is “Strong Europe”, which calls for strong common policies, the minister said to remind the audience that the CAP is the EU i’s first and most developed common policy.

As for the legislative package of the EU’s dairy market, the Hungarian Presidency is ambitious that the Council make a political decision and start consultations with the European Parliament.

Geographical indications, used to distinguish quality European food, are becoming an increasingly important reference points for consumers. In its six-month term, the Hungarian Presidency will put the improvement of food quality regulations on the agenda. Its goal is to establish a customer-friendly indication system and to ensure suitable protection and commercialisation of quality products by means of clear regulations that imposes little administrative burden on producers.

Adjustment of agricultural law to Lisbon

The Hungarian Presidency wishes to take a major step towards technical modification of the EU’s entire agricultural law, which is required by the existing effective Lisbon Treaty. This process will take years because of the need to revise all competences delegated to the Commission in all CAP regulations, and to adjust them to the EU’s new constitutional treaty.

During the Belgian Presidency’s term, a revision of regulations of direct subsidies and rural development was launched, and the Hungarian Presidency has already begun to review the regulation of the uniform management of agricultural markets. The regulation of CAP funding will also be assessed within a few days. The Hungarian Presidency expects the Council to adopt a common position, and the European Parliament to conduct the required consultations in relation to the law now consisting of more than 1100 pages.

The Presidency aspires to conclude the two-year review of regulations related to novel foods, and food ingredients (i.e. those not used for human consumption in large quantities before 15 May 1997.)

It is a priority for Hungary, that a new law is adopted on consumer food information. The draft would simplify the current regulation and introduce new elements, such as the obligatory indication of nutritional value.

The Hungarian Presidency attributes major importance to the common fisheries policy’s reform, and is ready to open a political debate in this respect. The Presidency pays special attention to fisheries partnership agreements to be concluded between the EU and third countries (countries that are not a member of the EU).

The CAP towards 2020

The Council discussed the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) ending in 2020. As Mr Fazekas told a press conference after the meeting, ministers took the view that “the management of our precious natural resources is not a luxury. Indeed, it is indispensable for the EU to sustain its food production capacities in the future”. “The only response European agriculture can give to economic and environmental challenges is innovation. CAP is an efficient means to promote and exploit such innovation.”

In relation to climate change, “we want European agriculture to be a part of the solution, not of the problem”, Mr Fazekas said. “The EU can provide an added value, and the main role must be played by the CAP”, the Hungarian minister added.

The CAP reform was the subject of a previous Council meeting last December, during the Belgian Presidency’s term. The Hungarian Presidency is planning another turn for the meeting in February, which will focus on balanced territorial development. “It is especially important to develop rural areas so that the population can feel home in them and perform production. It is a top priority to preserve and improve the quality of life in rural areas”, the presiding minister declared.

Commission report on bee de-population

The Council meeting heard the Commission’s report on the worrying bee de-population, which started years ago. Council organisations will take a close look at the Commission’s communication in February and March 2011, and will submit a draft conclusion for the Council’s meeting in May. According to the Commission, the cause of de-population is still unknown as environmental pollution and climate change do not provide an adequate answer.

Germany’s honest account on the dioxin case

Germany gave an account to the ministers on the dioxin contamination in fodder production. Member states welcomed the sincerity of the German report, and found the current food security control system is appropriate but needs improvement.

Dioxin - Hungary’s amendment

Prior to the Council’s meeting, the Hungarian Agricultural Minister had talked to John Dalli i, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection Policy, on Hungary’s measures in response to the German dioxin contamination; and reached an agreement on the review of such measures. The Commissioner found the Hungarian decision “disproportionate and unnecessary”. Later, the Hungarian Minister mentioned in a press conference in Brussels, that he considers Mr Dalli’s proposed measures a guarantee for preventing similar dioxin contaminations. “Hungary will revise its measures relating to the dioxin scandal, and will amend or revoke any part of its measures that contravenes EU law”, Mr Fazekas announced.

In this context, Commissioner Dalli pointed out that the EU’s food security system operates well, and there is no need for further counter measures from member states. He said, “If our Member States embark on the route to take national measures, it would be very difficult to persuade third countries not to take measures, not just against Germany but against Europe and all Member states”.

Pig market: surviving the crisis

The ministers discussed the pork market problems. The one-year stagnation of the market has now been exacerbated by the dioxin crisis in Germany. Therefore, the Commission proposed that unsellable pork stocks should be stored (frozen), with costs covered from the CAP budget. The ministers supported the proposal and member state ministry experts are expected to take a detailed decision within a week.