Brussels, 12/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Following the agreement reached on 26 June among the three EU institutions on reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP), EU farm ministers in Brussels on Monday 15 July will discuss outstanding issues connected with the EU's multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020, namely the planned reduction in aid, financial discipline, programme co-financing and rural development.
The ministers will, in fact, debate how the EP's demands can be addressed (see EUROPE 10886). The EP wants formal negotiations to start in September on aspects of the CAP reform on which agreement has not yet been reached, in other words issues connected with the February European Summit's decisions on the MFF for 2014-2020. Neither the Commission not the Council of Ministers was planning to start three-way talks of this type (as at the adoption of the CAP reform). The Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU is planning at this stage to stick with the position defined by the member states for the agreement on reform of the CAP and in the European Summit's conclusions document. At the most recent SCA (Special Committee on Agriculture) meeting, countries opposed to the capping and the reduction in aid (including the United Kingdom and Germany) said that there was no question of re-opening debate on these issues because they had already been settled in the CAP reform and decisions on the MFF.
Work programme. Lithuania will present the ministers with its work programme. Lithuania's agriculture minister, Vigilijus Jukna, hopes that finalised documents on CAP reform (not including MFF-related matters) can be submitted to the SCA on 2 September. The other big issue during Lithuania's six-month term of office is the regulation on transition measures for direct farm payments for 2014. The Presidency hopes to be given a negotiating mandate so that talks can begin with the EP in October. Other farm issues over the next six months include draft legislation on information and promotion of farm products in the single market and outside the EU, a proposal on animal cloning and a report on the strategy for forests, a planned review of the rules for fruit and vegetables, plans to expand the milk and fruit distribution programme in schools, and legislation on animal health, plant health, seeds and inspections.
Labelling, pesticides, food waste and horse meat
Apart from discussing reform of the CAP, the farm ministers will look at the horse meat scandal. Some member states want labelling of the origin of meat used in processed food. Another subject of debate will be the labelling of animals killed in abattoirs without being stunned first. The Netherlands wants a study promised by the European Commission in this connection to be made public as soon as possible so that proposals can be made. The ministers will discuss the planned ban on the introduction of Fipronil, following a negative opinion from the EFSA identifying dangers to bees. Member states' experts may vote on this on 15 or 16 July at the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. The Council will be briefed on the spread of Newcastle's disease in poultry in Cyprus. Hungary will ask the Commission to examine the level of food waste in Europe and prepare action to reduce it. (LC/transl.fl)