EU-ministers van Landbouw bespreken duurzame veeteelt op informele bijeenkomst (en)

The Agricultural Council discussed ways the common agricultural policy (CAP) should contribute to sustainable animal husbandry in Europe, at its informal meeting on 31 May 2011 in Debrecen, Eastern Hungary. The debate had to be significantly shortened due to the issue of the E. coli infection, which so far has already taken a total of 14 deaths in Germany; this issue was placed on the agenda at the last minute.

The discussion focused on three questions: how CAP should counter-balance the negative consequences of phasing out the milk quota system by 2015; who should pay the additional costs caused by the need to comply with the EU’s higher animal welfare and environmental requirements; and how animal husbandry could be protected from grain price volatility caused by the removal of regulations in the grain market.

In his opening speech, Minister of Rural Development, Sándor Fazekas highlighted that animal husbandry in the EU is also a welfare, environmental and employment issue. Mr Fazekas said that this sector currently faces several challenges. First: the termination of the milk quota system in 2015 will result in the increase of milk production in some competitive regions; however, in areas with unfavourable natural conditions, it might even disappear, Mr Fazekas said.

It is another risk factor that animal welfare standards and environmental requirements applying to animal husbandry are more stringent in the EU than in many other countries in the world, which imposes additional costs on European breeders. Owing to the stringent EU regulations, the competitiveness of the European animal husbandry sector has weakened, the Minister underlined.

Thirdly, Mr Fazekas highlighted that the former regulated grain market of the EU, has traditionally ensured the stablity of fodder prices for animal husbandry, but since 2003, the fluctuation in grain market prices have become quite frequent. This volatility of fodder prices has increased risks and has placed financial burdens on the animal husbandry sector.

Practically, all contributions to the debate emphasised on the production of milk and how it will have to be maintained in disadvantaged regions, even after phasing out the milk quota system. For this purpose, several participants have urged for income support or other forms of production incentives.

Regarding the higher animal welfare and environment protection standards, almost every participant mentioned that the EU should convince third countries to comply with the higher requirements accepted in the EU. To this end, bilateral negotiations and international forums should be utilised, ministers said.

Several ministers have urged the mitigation of grain price volatility by various techniques. Examples included more flexible intervention procedures or the encouragement of innovation.