Brussels, 10/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - Reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP), the “quality package” and alignment of CAP texts with the Lisbon Treaty will be priorities of the Danish Presidency during the first half of 2012.
On Monday 9 January, the Danish Presidency informed delegations of the Special Agriculture Committee (SAC) that the Council would, as a priority, examine the four main texts regarding CAP reform (direct payments, single common market organisation, rural development, CAP financing), by seeking to take work forward as much as possible with a view to reaching an agreement at the end of the year under Cypriot presidency. Furthermore, the Presidency hopes the Council will reach agreement by the end of the first half-year on two texts for transitional measures (wine-growing and direct payments in 2013).
The Agriculture Council on 23 January will be dedicated to an exchange of views on the single CMO regulation (further to discussion on direct payments and rural development in November and December 2011). As of March 2012, the Presidency will organise more in-depth political discussions on specific subjects such as the notion of active farming, a greener CAP, innovation and disadvantaged areas.
When it comes to the “quality package”, the Presidency hopes to reach a first reading agreement with the European Parliament at the end of its term of office, or at least a Council common position. The SAC will, on 16 January, return to points still outstanding relating to quality programmes. At the end of January/early February, the Presidency will call on the SAC for two negotiating briefs with the EP (on marketing standards and quality programmes).
Denmark hopes, on the subject of the horizontal approach for CAP alignment with the Lisbon Treaty, to be successful where the Polish Presidency failed, that is, to achieve agreement with the institutions. Two subjects remain outstanding: the fields of competence covered by Article 43(3) (exclusive Council competence) and sanctions in case of infringement. Other issues, such as top quality beef, the labelling of organic products, aromatised wines and agricultural promotion, will be dealt with as they come up during the Danish term of presidency. It is not certain whether the Agriculture Council in February will indeed be held. We shall keep you informed. (LC/transl.jl)