Brussels, 06/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Cyprus, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council of Ministers for the second half of 2012, aims to have ministers adopt a partial general approach on the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) at the Council meeting in November.
The Cypriot Presidency believes that “this should clear the way for discussions on the reform issues linked to the multiannual financial framework to take place at the level of heads of state/government”. In relation to the direct payments system, the Presidency “will seek to achieve consensual solutions, by promoting flexible approaches and simplification, paying attention to synergy and complementarity with the second pillar (rural development) and concentrating on non- or less controversial aspects”. It will also work intensively on the new regional development regulation and will press on with discussions on the single common market organisation and the financing of the CAP, taking account of the need to put in place “an effective safety net for farmers, flexible crisis management tools and deeper cooperation along the food chain”.
The provisional programme for the Agriculture Council under Cypriot presidency is:
16 July: Exploratory debate on the reform of the CAP and the Presidency programme.
24-25 September: Debate on CAP reform, information on recipients of CAP funding, the position to be adopted by the EU at the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) and measures for the promotion of wines in third countries
22-23 October: CAP reform, revision of the hygiene package, distribution of fruit and vegetables in schools.
19-20 November: Partial general approach on reform of the CAP
17-18 December: CAP reform (if no agreement is reached in November), Commission report on the dairy market, promotion measures for agricultural products and the work programme of the Irish Presidency (first half of 2013). On 10 July, Cypriot Agriculture Minister Sofoclis Aletraris will present his programme to the relevant European Parliament committee. The traditional informal meeting of agriculture ministers will take place in Nicosia and Limassol on 9-11 September. The theme will be rural development. (LC/jl)