Brussels, 12/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - EU agriculture ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday 17 May (at 11.00am) to discuss two matters dear to the Spanish Presidency: the international competitiveness of the European agri-food model and gender equality in rural areas. In the other business section, the Council will be informed by the European Commission of the state of play with regard to trade negotiations with Mercosur (see related article below).
Ministers will hold an exchange of views on the competiveness of the European agri-food model on the basis of questions put by the Presidency: Do you consider that the current European agri-food model meets the requirements and expectations of European citizens? Do you think that this model is sufficiently known and recognised at international level? Do you consider that the current instruments for agri-food promotion are useful, adequate and necessary in the context of the new CAP. How could we improve their efficiency?
The Spanish Presidency has invited the Council to debate gender equality in rural areas. It proposes various measures to support gender equality, such as selection criteria giving priority to women in access to direct aid, and increasing aid to help young female farmers set up. (L.C./transl.rt)