Vergadering Raad Landbouw en Visserij (en)

Met dank overgenomen van , gepubliceerd op dinsdag 25 september 2012.

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

PROVISIONAL VERSION

PRESSE 379 PR CO 47

PRESS RELEASE

3186th Council meeting Agriculture and Fisheries

Brussels, 24 September 2012

President Sofoclis ALETRARIS

Minister for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment of Cyprus

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

Main results of the Council

For the first day of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting, concerning agriculture, two public debates took place in the Council on the proposals for regulations on rural development and the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products within the framework of the CAP reform.

Finally, the Council was briefed on the consequences for agriculture of recent drought in the world, in particular the increase offeed prices, the situation of the dairy market, a conference on agriculture, food security and climate change, the Codex decision on ractopamine, the Asian longhorned beetle outbreaks, the fraud on alcohol in Czech Republic and a multi-resistant bacteria in poultry.

PROVISIONAL VERSION 24 1X2012

CONTTS¹

PARTICIPANTS................................................................................................................................5

ITEMS DEBATED

Reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP)..............................................................................7

Rural development...............................................................................................................................7

Single CMO.........................................................................................................................................9

ANY OTHER BUSINESS.................................................................................................................11

Codex decision on Ractopamine........................................................................................................11

Asian Longhorned Beetle outbreaks..................................................................................................12

Adulteration of spirits in the Czech Republic....................................................................................12

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria in poultry.........................................................................................13

Drought for agriculture, increase in feed prices and consequences for the milk market...................13

Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change.......................................................14

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

FISHERIES

-

Partnership agreement between EU i and Cote d'lvoire - Negotiations on new protocol........................................15

AGRICULTURE

-

Council conclusions on a Court of auditors i report - Targeting aid for modernising farms...................................15

ERGY

-

Energy labelling of electrical lamps and luminaires..............................................................................................16

• Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks

• Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's Internet site (http://www.consilium.europa.eu)

• Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's Internet site or may be obtained from the Press Office

PROVISIONAL VERSION 241X 2012

TRANSPORT

-

Cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organisation on aviation security *.......................................16

VIRONMT

-

Biocidal products...................................................................................................................................................17

Waste.....................................................................................................................................................................17

-

Greenhouse gas emission allowance trading.........................................................................................................18

-

Trade in species of wild fauna and flora................................................................................................................18

EU Ecolabel...........................................................................................................................................................18

TRANSPORT

-

Common methods for monitoring and supervision of railway safety....................................................................19

CUSTOMS UNION

-

EU-Canada agreement on customs cooperation....................................................................................................19

TRADE POLICY

EU-Georgia agreement..........................................................................................................................................19

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

PARTICIPANTS

The governments of the member states and the European Commission were represented as follows:

Belgium:

Ms Sabine LARUELLE

Bulgaria:

Mr Miroslav NAYDOV Ms Svetlana BOYANOVA Ms Petia VASSILEVA

Czech Republic:

Mr Petr BDL

Denmark:

Ms Mette GJERSKOV

Germany:

Ms Ilse AIGNER

Mr Robert KLOOS

Estonia:

Mr Clyde KULL

Ireland:

Mr Simon COVEY Mr Thomas HANNEY

Greece:

Mr Athanasios TSAFTARIS Mr Dimitrios MELAS

Spain:

Mr Miguel ARIAS CANETE Ms Rosa Maria QUINT ANA

France:

Mr Stéphane LE FOLL Mr Frederic CUVILLIER

Italy

Mr Mario CATANIA Mr Marco PERONACI

Cyprus:

Mr Sofoclis ALETRARIS Ms Egly PANTELAKIS

Latvia:

Ms Laimdota STRAUJUMA Lithuania:

Mr Kazys STARKEVICIUS

Luxembourg:

Mr Romain SCHNEIDER

Hungary:

MrSandorFAZEKAS Mr Oliver VARHELYI

Minister for the Middle Classes, SMEs, the Self-Employed and Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture and Food Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Food Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection

State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection

Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Rural Development and Food Secretary General for Rural Development and Food

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Environment Minister for Rural Environment and for the Sea of the Autonomous Community of Galicia

Minister for Agriculture and Agroalimentary Minister for Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy

Minister for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment

Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development, Minister for Sport, Minister with responsibility for Economic Solidarity

Minister for Rural Development Deputy Permanent Representative

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

Malta:

Mr Patrick MIFSUD

Netherlands:

Mr Henk BLEKER i

Austria:

Mr Nikolaus BERLAKOVICH

Mr Harald GÜNTHER Ms Edith KLAUSER

Poland:

Mr Stanislaw KALEMBA Portugal:

Ms Assuncao CRISTAS

Mr José DIOGO ALBUQUERQUE Mr Manuel PINTO DE ABREU

Romania:

Mr Daniel CONSTANTTN Mr Achim IRIMESCU

Slovenia:

Mr Branko RAVNIK

Slovakia:

Ms Magdaléna LACKO-BARTOSOVA Finland:

Mr Jari KOSKTN Mr Risto ARTJOKI

Sweden:

Mr Eskil ERLANDSSON

United Kingdom:

Mr Owen PATERSON

Mr Richard LOCHHEAD Mr Alun DA VIES

Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Agriculture and Foreign Trade

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, the

Environment and Water Management

Deputy Permanent Representative

Director General, Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, the

Environment and Water Management

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Minister for Agriculture, Maritime Affairs, the Environment and Regional Planning State Secretary for Agriculture State Secretary for Maritime Affairs

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment

State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Minister for Agriculture and Forestry State Secretary

Minister for Rural Affairs

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment (Scottish Government)

Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and European Programmes (Welsh Assembly Government)

Commission:

Mr Dacian CIOLOS

Mr John DALLI i

Ms Maria DAMANAKI i

Member Member Member

The Government of the Acceding State was represented as follows:

Croatia:

Ms Snjezana SPANJOL

Deputy Minister for Agriculture

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

ITEMS DEBATED

Reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP)

Ministers held two orientation debates within the framework of the common agricultural policy (CAP) reform. The discussions covered specific issues in:

• the proposal for a regulation on support for rural development (rural development regulation)

(/11).

• the proposal for a regulation establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products (Single CMO regulation) (/11).

Rural development

This proposal covers voluntary measures adapted to national and regional specificities for rural development, where member states draw up and co-finance with the EU multiannual programmes under a common framework. The ministers focused their debate on areas with natural constraints (previously named "less favoured areas")

The debate showed that this constitutes a key topic for all member states. Almost all of them supported the new delimitation of areas with natural constraints (ANCs) on the basis of the biophysical criteria proposed by the Commission

A large majority of delegations were also favorable to the process of fine-tuning, though many stressed the need for flexibility at member state level regarding the criteria for fine tuning and their application to take into account the differences between and within countries. A few member states would still prefer if fine tuning was optional

With regards to the transitional periods for implementing the new system, though some member states would like the scheme to be implemented as soon as possible, most of the delegations agreed that an extension until the end of 2015 might be necessary for certain countries

Most delegations indicated that they were broadly satisfied with the current revised version of articles 32 and 33 or regulation on rural development proposed by the Danish Presidency in June

(/12).

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

A few member states would like the debate on ANCs being postponed after the general reform of the CAP

ANCs are covered by a mechanism for supporting the continuation of farming and thus maintaining the countryside in:

• mountain areas,

• less favoured areas other than mountain (the so-called "intermediate LFAs") or areas facing significant natural constraints, and

• areas affected by specific handicaps

This scheme was established back in 1975 and was entitled less favoured areas (LFAs) at this time. In 2003, the European Court of Auditors spotlighted the wide range of criteria for the "intermediate LFAs" across the EU as a possible source of unequal treatment. As a follow-up, in 2005, the logic of intervention of the LF A scheme was revised through a new definition. It was decided to clearly focus the objectives of the scheme on land management. However, no agreement was found on a possible EU wide system for classifying these areas in line with the new definition and the policy objectives. It was therefore decided to maintain the previous system in force for a limited period of time

The changes proposed by the Commission in the context of the CAP reform concern only the second category, now called "areas facing significant natural constraints" and its delimitation would be objective, transparent, common to all member states and comparable across the EU. This delimitation would be based on 8 biophysical criteria with fixed thresholds¹. In order to be eligible for payments under this category, at least 66% of the utilised agricultural area in the "areas facing significant natural constraints" would need to meet at least one of these eight criteria at the indicated threshold. All Member States would have to undertake a fine-tuning exercise, based on objective criteria, with the purpose of excluding areas in which significant natural constraints have been documented but have been overcome by investments or by economic activity

1)

low temperature; 2) dryness; 3) excess soil moisture; 4) limited soil drainage; 5) unfavourable texture and stoniness; 6) shallow rooting depth; 7) poor chemical properties; 8) steep slope

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

Single CMO

The proposal for a Single CMO regulation is part of the CAP reform package and lays down rules for the common organisation of agricultural markets. It aims to streamline, expand and simplify provisions on the basis of experience on public intervention, private storage, exceptional/emergency measures and aid to specific sectors. Among the measures proposed, ministers will specifically consider the implementation of a safety net and the importance of the reference prices

Many delegations considered the improved safety net as proposed by the Commission to be sufficiently effective. A number of member states expressed concerns on the likely budgetary impact of any meaningful adjustment of the safety net

Some delegations see merit in examining the feasibility of introducing a mechanism to allow future updates of reference prices but no clear view has emerged on how an adjustment mechanism would exactly work and under what conditions it would apply. There were particular concerns from several member states about sectors such as livestock, dairy sector, olive oil and cereals

Furthermore, some delegations have expressed concerns about the need for EU farmers to continue to respond to market signals and for the CAP to respond to WTO rules

The proposal provides a safety net of market management measures (public intervention, private storage, exceptional measures and export refunds) to enable farmers to withstand excessive price volatility and market disturbances, and to balance the supply chain. This includes improvements to strengthen the safety net through the automatic tendering for public intervention for skimmed milk powder and butter and through more responsive private storage aid

The CAP reform package was presented by the Commission at the Agriculture Council meeting in October 2011. The Council has already held general policy debates on the proposals for regulation on direct payments, rural development and on the single common market organisation at the Agriculture Council meetings in November and December last year and in January this year

In March this year ministers held a debate on the simplification of the CAP. At its meeting in April, the Council held an orientation debate on young farmers, small farmers, voluntary coupled support and top ups for farmers in areas with natural constraints, as well as on internal distribution, the definition of "active farmer" and the capping of support to large farms. In May the Council held another orientation debate on the greening of the CAP and as recently as June it held one on rural development issues

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

In addition to these debates the Danish Presidency also presented a progress report highlighting the progress achieved during the first half of 2012 on key issues of the CAP reform proposals

The first debate under the Cyprus presidency in July covered already the rural development issue (risk management and the income stabilisation tool) and the single CMO (measures to respond to threats of market disturbances on markets)

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

ANY OTHER BUSINESS Codex decision on Ractopamine

The Presidency briefed the ministers on the adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission during its session on 2-7 July 2012 of a maximum residue limit (MRL) for ractopamine in beef and pork meat ().

Together with the Presidency and the Commission, many member states regretted the potential consequences of the adoption of a MRL for ractopamine by the international organisation. Delegations defended in particular the current EU legislation banning growth promoters and raised concerns about the decision procedure in the Codex alimentarius

Ractopamine is a growth promoter belonging to the family of beta-agonists: it has an anabolic effect which significantly increases muscle mass while decreasing the fat content of carcasses. Since 1996, the use of growth promoters and the import of meat from animals treated with these substances are strictly prohibited in the EU. The EU policy towards this substance has been established on the grounds of persisting scientific uncertainty about the safety of products derived from animals treated with ractopamine and opposition to the use of veterinary drugs as growth promoters

However, as fixing a MRL is considered as setting a threshold under which the use the product is considered as safe, the new standard fixed by the Codex can be considered de facto as an authorisation of using ractopamine below the fixed MRL in food producing animals. This could lead some third countries to question the EU policy, since Codex standards are usually considered as benchmarks in the framework of the SPS agreement of the WTO

In order to defend the interest of EU consumers, the Council, in close cooperation with the Commission, has started identifying the next steps that the EU will have to take. The Presidency will keep the ministers informed of the ongoing work

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

Asian Longhorned Beetle outbreaks

The Council was briefed by the Dutch delegation on the consequences of the increasing number of outbreaks of the Asian Longhorned Beetle (ALB or Anoplophora glabripennis) originating in Asia ().

Some member states supported the Dutch demand to Chinese authorities for an improvement on their controls on the wood packing exported from this country. The Commission has indicated that the EU concerns have been transmitted to Chinese authorities though a letter sent in June this year and at the occasion of a meeting organised the same day of the Council

Outbreaks of ALB are directly linked to infested wood packing originating from Asian countries, and in particular China. ALB is legally classified in the EU as a harmful organism to plants and can affect a large number of different trees and shrubs. In the Netherlands an outbreak of the ALB occurred in 2010, more recently there have been several findings of the ALB in different member states, including the UK, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands

Introduction and spread of the ALB in the EU could have major consequences for both the plant nursery sector and for the countryside. Necessary measures should be taken on a short term to prevent introduction of this harmful insect. As under international phytosanitary standards, the responsibility for meeting the EU import requirements (including for wood packaging material) lies in the first place in the country of dispatch, the Netherlands questions the methods of treatment applied in Asian countries

Adulteration of spirits in the Czech Republic

The Czech delegation briefed the Council on the current crisis linked to the adultation of spirits ().

Since the beginning of September the fraudulent presence of methanol instead of ethanol spirits has caused the death of at least 20 people in Czech Republic. Many other victims have been affected by serious physical damages (blindness in particular) as a consequence of this intoxication and some of them are still hospitalized. In link with the Commission through the Rapid alert system for food and feed (RASFF), Czech authorities have investigated on their territory to identify the extent of the fraud and try to find out the origin. The Czech delegation has announced to the Council that the origin of the fraud has been identified very recently

To limit the consequences of the adulteration, the Czech authorities had imposed stricts limits to the consumption of spirits on their territory. They has also banned the export of these products

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

Antimicrobial resistant bacteria in poultry

The ministers were briefed by the Danish delegation about the presence of an antimicrobial resistant bacteria in poultry

Denmark has experienced a drastic increase in the number of ESBL-positive poultry meat samples in 2011 from both imported and Danish origin poultry. ESBL is a type of antimicrobial resistance found in both humans and in production animals, of which poultry has the highest prevalence. ESBL resistance is closely related to the use of the antimicrobials named cephalosporins

With a reference to the Council Conclusions of 22 June 2012 on "the impact of antimicrobial resistance in the human health sector and in the veterinary sector - a 'One Health' perspective" Denmark encouraged the Commission and the member states to take steps to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria such as ESBL in the EU

The Commission recalled its monitoring of the antimicrobial resistance and the ongoing evaluation of the use of antimicrobials (in particular cephalosporins for which recommendations of use have been published). The new framework for animal health will take this issue into account and will be presented soon to the Council

Drought for agriculture, increase in feed prices and consequences for the milk market

Ministers were briefed by the Hungarian, Bulgarian, Italian, Portuguese and Slovenian delegations about the consequences of drought affecting the harvest of several crops in the world (). In the same context, the Greek delegation briefed the Council on the consequences of this drought, in particular the rise of feed prices (). Finally, Spain and Portugal, supported by the Lithuanian and Polish delegations asked the Commission for appropriate measures against the deteriorating situation of the market of milk and dairy products in the EU ().

Several member states acknowledged the situation described. Some of them highlighted the need to draw a lesson from this situation to feed the current debate on the market measures (Single CMO). The Commission noted some suggestions from member states, in particular the idea of working on the legume crops supply of the EU and that the assessment of prices in a specific sector such as milk production should include production costs to be more accurate

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

During the last months, the agricultural output at the world level has been severely affected by droughts in the USA, Ukraine and Russia. This led to a strong increase in the prices of cereals and soya and a subsequent rise in cost of feed affecting animal farmers. It was noted that it affected especially the animal husbandry sector in Mediterranean countries without grasslands. The rise in feed affected also the milk producers by increasing the prices of the inputs. On a more longer term, a food crisis similar to the one observed in 2008 could affect also developing countries

Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change

The Netherlands delegation briefed the ministers on the conclusions of the Global Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change which took place in Hanoi from 3 to 7 September 2012 ().

This conference co-organised by the Netherland and Vietnam constituted a follow-up of a similar conference which took place in the Hague in November 2010. The event in Vietnam underscored that food security is and will remain a critical issue for the international community, given that global food production must rise by at least 70 percent in 2050 in order to feed 9 billion people

It recognized that food security, poverty, climate change, and sustainable development are closely linked, and can no longer be considered separately. It insisted on the fact that agricultural policies have an important role to play with regard to these challenges

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED FISHERIES

Partnership agreement between EU and Cote d'lvoire - Negotiations on new protocol

The Council adopted a decision authorising the Commission to open negotiations on behalf of the EU for a new protocol to the fisheries partnership agreement with the Republic of Cote d'lvoire

The aim of the new protocol will be to ensure continued access to the Republic of Cote d'lvoire exclusive economic zone (EEZ) since the current protocol dating back from 1 July 2007 expires on 30 June 2013

This new protocol to the fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Cote d'lvoire should be in line with the 19 March 2012 Council conclusions on a communication of 14 July 2011 from the Commission on external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy

AGRICULTURE

Council conclusions on a Court of auditors report - Targeting aid for modernising farms

The Council adopted conclusions on the special report No 8/2012 from the European Court of Auditors entitled "Targeting of aid for the modernisation of agricultural holdings" ().

The Court acknowledges that investment measure 121 (rural development) has achieved its nominal objective and has resulted in the modernisation of agricultural holdings. A proposal for a regulation on rural development is currently being examined in Council and by the Council's preparatory bodies. The Court's recommendations could be taken into account in the proceedings on this proposal

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

ERGY

Energy labelling of electrical lamps and luminaires

The Council decided not to object to a Commission delegated regulation supplementing

directive /EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling

of electrical lamps and luminaires ().

The regulation is a delegated act pursuant to article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. This means that now that the Council has given its consent, the act can enter into force, unless the European Parliament objects to it

TRANSPORT

Cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organisation on aviation security *

The Council determined¹ the position to be taken by the EU as regards detailed rules for cooperation on aviation security () to be added as an annex to the memorandum of cooperation concluded with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in March this year (). The annex is designed to contribute to enhancing security in international aviation and sets out areas of cooperation, including exchange of information, posting of experts and financing of specific security actions

The adoption of the annex will be decided by the EU-ICAO Joint Committee set up under the memorandum of cooperation, which provides a framework for enhanced cooperation in the areas of aviation safety and security, air traffic management, and environmental protection

This will be the second annex to the memorandum of cooperation, as an annex on aviation safety has already been established (). Annexes are also planned to be drawn up on environmental issues and air traffic management

The United Kingdom abstained (see statement in ADD 1).

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

VIRONMT Biocidal products

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of the following Commission's legislative acts amending directive 98/8/EC concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market:

-

directive amending certain headings of Annex I ():

-

decision concerning the non-inclusion of bifenthrin for product type 18 in Annex I, IA or IB ():

-

directive to include hydrogen cyanide as an active substance in Annex I ():

-

directive correcting Annex I ().

-

directive to include cis-Tricos-9-ene as an active substance in Annex I ().

-

directive to extend the inclusion in Annex I of the active substance nonanoic acid to product type 2 ().

The Commission acts are subject to what is known as the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt them, unless the European Parliament objects

Waste

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of a Commission regulation establishing criteria determining when glass cullet ceases to be waste under the waste framework directive (/EC i)

OJL 123, 24.4.1998

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

Greenhouse gas emission allowance trading

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of a Commission regulation amending Regulation on the timing, administration and other aspects of auctioning of greenhouse gas emission allowances¹ to list an auction platform to be appointed by the United Kingdom ().

Trade in species of wild fauna and flora

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of a Commission regulation amending Council regulation on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein

EU Ecolabel

The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of two Commission decisions establishing the

ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for industrial and institutional laundry detergents () and for industrial and institutional automatic dishwasher detergents ().

The EU Ecolabel was established by regulation 66/2010 and is awarded to products with a reduced environmental impact during their entire life cycle

OJL302, 18.11.2010 OJL61, 3.3.1997. OJL27, 30.1.2010

PROVISIONAL VERSION

24.IX.2012

TRANSPORT

Common methods for monitoring and supervision of railway safety

The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission of two regulations establishing common safety methods for ensuring safety of railways:

-

firstly, a method to be applied by railway undertakings and infrastructure managers in order to check conformity of railway operation and maintenance activities with essential requirements

(),

-

secondly, a method to be applied by national safety authorities to supervise the safety performance of railway undertakings and infrastructure managers ().

The draft regulations are subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny; now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt them, unless the European Parliament objects

CUSTOMS UNION

EU-Canada agreement on customs cooperation

The Council authorised the signing of an agreement with Canada on customs cooperation with respect to matters related to supply chain security

The text of the agreement () will be published together with the decision on its conclusion in the Official Journal of the EU

TRADE POLICY

EU-Georgia agreement

The Council approved the position to be taken by the EU within a joint committee established by the EU-Georgia agreement on the protection of geographical indications of agricultural products and foodstuffs

The decision relates to the adoption of the rules of procedure of the committee

origineel bericht: 'Press release 3186th AGRICULTURE and FISHERIES Cou...'

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