Brussels, 09/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - During its meeting on Tuesday 16 June in Luxembourg, the Agriculture Council, chaired by Jânis Dûklavs, will attempt to reach an agreement on a general approach for the draft regulation on organic farming (see EUROPE 11330).
On Tuesday, the Latvian Presidency will present another compromise text on organic farming. The controversial subjects involve procedures in the event of non-authorised substances being present (pesticides and herbicides) in organic products and the frequency of inspections.
The proposal seeks to revise the current legislation in force on organic farming production and labelling organic products, in an effort to lift the barriers to developing organic farming in the EU, guarantee a level playing field for farmers and operators and to increase consumers' confidence in organic products.
The general approach represents a political agreement on the Council position on the draft regulation. The agreement sought will allow for negotiations to be launched with the Parliament and Council, in view of reaching a political agreement between the EU institutions. The vote at the parliament is expected to take place in the middle of July or mid-September 2015 at the Agriculture and Rural Development Council.
Fishing Opportunities in 2016
The Council will mention the Commission communication on fishing in 2016. The communication illustrates the general approach that the Commission will adopt during the formulation of its proposals on fishing for 2016. The document illustrates the state of fish stocks, briefly highlights the economic performances of the EU fishing fleet and underlines the importance of introducing long-term management plans that conform to scientific recommendations.
2016 marks the entry into force of the landing obligation for commercial fisheries in the North Sea and the European Union's Atlantic waters. Overfishing is endemic in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Animal health. The Presidency will inform ministers about the state of play involving the draft regulation on animal health. The European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on this regulation during an informal trialogue on 1 June. The regulation should be formally adopted before the end of 2015, following the final procedures, including a revision by jurists-linguists. The regulation will apply five years after its entry into force. The legislation on animal health seeks to ensure high quality animal and public health. This will involve obtaining a single general legal framework, with standard principles for the whole sector, which is currently regulated by a body of interrelated and linked regulations and directives.
Country of origin indication for certain foodstuffs. The Council will have the possibility of responding to Commission reports on compulsory country of origin indications for milk and milk products, as well as certain kinds of meat, non-processed foodstuffs and products containing a single ingredient.
2007-2013 rural development programme eligibility. The Commission will present its decision about the possibility of extending spending eligibility for rural development programmes for the 2007-2013 period. The programming period for rural development programmes for the 2007-2013 period is expected to come to an end on 31 December this year. Several delegations have emphasised the fact that the deadline should be postponed by six months in an effort to allow comprehensive and effective use of the funds in the member states, particularly those affected by a difficult economic situation.
2007-2013 fisheries programme eligibility. The Council will be informed by the Greek delegation of its request for an extension of the spending eligibility period under the operational programme for fisheries 2007-2013.
Visegrad Group. The Slovak delegation will present the Council with the results from the Agriculture Ministers' meeting of the Visegrad group, which was extended to Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia. This took place on 18-19 May 2015 in Bratislava. The following subjects were examined during this meeting: improving the position of farmers in the food chain; simplification of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP); - the agreement within the framework of the Forest Europe process.
The Presidency will also be informing the Council about the International Year of Plant Health in 2020. (Lionel Changeur)