Brussels, 04/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - Reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP), measures in favour of the dairy sector and milk products, product quality policy and animal welfare are at the top of the list of agricultural priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers, to be held during the first half of 2011.
The Hungarian Presidency points out that the agricultural sector has “managed to create new jobs even in the midst of the economic and financial crisis. An increased role for agricultural research and innovation can, beside adaptation to the new global challenges, contribute to the recovery of agriculture”.
Reform of the CAP after 2013 and the dairy market. According to the European Commission communication, “the Hungarian Presidency wishes to conclude the technical and political debate on the main directions of the CAP”. Hungary has set itself the objective to contribute to the “development of a common agricultural policy protecting agricultural farmers through the facilitation of a consensus between member states”, according to information on the Presidency website. The Presidency has planned to organise two political debates at the Agriculture Council (on 24 January and 21-22 February) on CAP reform, before the adoption of conclusions on the relevant Commission communication during the Council on 17 and 18 March.
After the latest dairy market crisis “the EU has instituted measures that have improved the sector's situation somewhat”, comments the Hungarian Presidency, whose task it will be to conduct the debate on the dairy market legislation package proposed by the European Commission last December. European agriculture ministers are expected to discuss the dossier in March with a view to reaching, if possible, a general approach during the Council on 27 and 28 June.
Animal protection and cloning. The draft regulation on the labelling of foodstuffs is another “priority” of the rotating presidency. “Separation of the cloning issue allows the review of so-called novel food - food and food ingredients that have not been significantly used for human consumption within the EU before 15 May 1997”, the Presidency explains. Hungary also hopes to make headway on the animal protection issue. It trusts ministers will be able to adopt conclusions in June (27-28 June) on evaluation of the Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals 2006-2010.
Geographical indication and food product information. The package of measures on the quality of food products is also on the Hungarian Presidency's agenda of work (debate scheduled for 14-15 April and political agreement hoped for during Council on 27 and 28 June). The Presidency considers the matter of considerable importance as it directly concerns consumers. The draft regulation on consumer information relating to food products aims to simplify the current regulations and to bring in new elements, for example, the compulsory indication of nutritional value. For the Hungarian Presidency, adoption of the new legislation is a priority.
Blue tongue disease and bee health. “With a view to simplification and in light of recent developments, it has become necessary to review the EU regulation on blue tongue disease, which the Hungarian Presidency wishes to place on its agenda”, the Hungarian Presidency states. It also hopes the Council will adopt conclusions on bee health when it meets on 16 and 17 May. “Bees have an outstanding role in the pollination of agricultural crops”, the Hungarian Presidency points out.
Items on the agenda of the ministerial conference on the protection of forests in Europe, to be held in Oslo, include the possibility of a “European Forest Convention” and, “in respect of European forest policies, the Hungarian Presidency will strive to move this issue further”.
Fisheries. The Hungarian Presidency will pay special attention to reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP). The European Commission will put forward its legislative proposals on this at the Council on 27 and 28 June. It will also be up to Hungary to promote extending cross-cutting Community regulation to technical measures applied to fishing. Other matters pertaining to fishing will be tackled during the Hungarian term of presidency at: - debate (27-28 June) on the proposal to set up a multiannual plan for pelagic fish stocks in the Baltic Sea; - debate (at April Council) on the salmon recovery plan (Baltic Sea); - an exchange of views in April on review of the Western Waters' regime on fishing effort; - and a proposal on renewing the EU-Morocco partnership agreement in the fisheries sector (possibly with presentation of the proposal during the Council on 24 January). (L.C./transl.jl)