Brussels, 16/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - Crises in various sectors and the difficult economic circumstances facing farmers dominated the exchange of views on the priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council in the European Parliament's agriculture committee on Thursday 16 July.
With regard to market developments, Luxembourg Agriculture Minister Fernand Etgen said that the Council was continuing to keep a close eye on the effects of the Russian embargo on EU agri-food products, particularly in the dairy sector, “to see if new measures are necessary”. The Council is also monitoring the situation following the ending of milk quotas on 31 March.
The Russian embargo “continues to have negative effects on our economies and serious consequences for European agriculture, especially in the fruit and vegetable, dairy and pigmeat sectors”, Etgen said. “EU efforts to stabilise markets and help the sectors most affected will continue under our Presidency”, he stated. He opined that Monday's Agriculture Council had sent a strong message to the Commission that it should agree to prolong or extend support measures, with appropriate funding, for the worst affected sectors.
The Russian embargo was an issue raised by, for example, Albert Dess (EPP, Germany), Paolo De Castro (S&D, Italy) and John Stuart Agnew (EFDD, UK), who have often reproached the Commission for its failure to act.
CAP simplification. The Luxembourg minister said that, at this time, it was appropriate to review the Commission's delegated acts and implementing acts on the new common agricultural policy (CAP). “We have not discounted examination of the basic acts at a later date”, he indicated.
Fruit and milk in schools. The Council has noted the Parliament vote at first reading. Debate on this issue was suspended under Latvian Presidency because the Council had reservations over the legal basis chosen by the Commission and had asked it to amend the legal basis in order to comply with the treaty. The Luxembourg Presidency is very much of a mind to resume both technical- and political-level discussions. Etgen is confident an agreement can be reached.
Antimicrobials. In response to questioning, notably by Jan Huitema (ALDE, Netherlands), Etgen said that a conference will be held in October to discuss measures to be taken by farmers and veterinarians to reduce the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry. Adoption of two legislative proposals on veterinary medicines and medicated animal feedstuffs “will create a regulatory framework that will make it possible to reduce the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance”, Etgen stated (our translation throughout).
GMOs. In answer to Martin Häusling (Greens/EFA, Germany) et al, Etgen pointed out that the debate in Monday's Agriculture Council had shown that the issue of GMOs remains very sensitive and controversial. A majority of member states were unhappy that the proposal was not accompanied by an impact study. The Luxembourg Presidency intends to continue discussions as soon as sufficient data are available.
TTIP. Agriculture must not be used as an adjustment variable so as to be able to conclude negotiations with the United States, including on tariffs, Etgen, the president in office of the Agriculture Council, said. The negotiations must not lead to a lowering of Europe's high standards and there has to be vigilance with regard to geographical indication rules and rules of origin, he added.
The Luxembourg Presidency confirmed that it wanted to continue the negotiations on organic farming between the Parliament and the Council. (Lionel Changeur)