Brussels, 13/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - Slovak Agriculture Minister Gabriela Matecna, whose country will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU until the end of the year, showed her determination on Wednesday 13 July to ensure the adoption of a number of measures to stabilise markets, especially the milk market which is going through a period of deep crisis (EUROPE 11585).
Speaking at a press conference in the European Parliament after setting out for MEPs her priorities as Agriculture Council president, Matecna said: “We believe that, at the next Council on Monday 18 July, Commissioner Phil Hogan will present a package of measures to resolve the crisis”. However, beyond immediate measures, for example to stabilise the milk market, long-term measures will be needed to reduce volatility, the minister said. A high-level meeting of EU experts will take place on 16 September to assess the long-term measures that will have to be taken in the milk and dairy products sector, she said.
Matecna also stressed the need to promote consumption of milk and dairy products, which are good for the health. One of the reasons behind the crisis, in addition to the Russian embargo, is the fall in consumption of milk and dairy products in Europe.
Also at the press conference, Czeslaw Adam Siekierski (EPP, Poland), who chairs the European Parliament's agriculture committee, argued for an increase in aid for the buying-in by public intervention of powdered milk, butter and cheese. He expects the Commission to present a text next Monday providing for compensation for farmers' cutting their milk production. A meeting of the EP agriculture committee will be held on Tuesday 19 July to take stock of the outcome of the Council.
The Commission is planning to propose arrangements, with Community funding, to encourage farmers to reduce or stabilise milk production (EUROPE 11590).
In answer to a question by a journalist on free-trade agreements, Matecna stressed the need for caution on the agricultural chapter of the trade negotiations. When speaking about the talks between the EU and Mercosur (EUROPE 11586) and between the EU and the United States (EUROPE 11590, 11591), the minister said that the EU market was already largely saturated with regard to certain products and that the market was not able to absorb large quantities of certain raw materials. “We have to look after the fate of our farmers and imported goods must be at least of equivalent quality to what is produced in the EU”, she said.
Matecna made clear that the principle priority of the Slovak Presidency of the Council was to enhance the position of farmers on the food supply chain. “The crisis has revealed malfunctions and a growing imbalance between farmers and distributors”, she stated.
Measures to stabilise markets. After MEPs had spoken, Matecna admitted that the situation on agricultural markets was “critical”. “Effective solutions have to be found and the less we act the more farmers will face problems”, she said.
“We will take whatever measures are necessary to stabilise the market and to ensure a fair position for farmers in the food supply chain.” Matecna is sure that, with better distribution of margins, farmers' conditions can be improved. “We will continue to monitor the situation in the fruit and vegetables sector”, she stated. It is expected that, by December, the Council will adopt conclusions on improving the position of farmers in the food supply chain.
Matecna also hailed the efforts of Commissioner Hogan to find new export opportunities for EU farmers.
International agreements. When asked about such agreements by MEPs, the minister suggested that liberalisation was “positive” and pointed out that the EU is the world's largest exporter of agri-food products. She believes that opportunities still exist for growth. “Exports could offset farmers' losses resulting from the markets crisis.” However, she strongly emphasised that, in TTIP talks and negotiations with the Mercosur countries, “we will make sure that the agricultural sector does not lose out. Farmers need protection for sensitive products”, she said. She pointed out that the Mercosur countries were very competitive partners: “We hope the talks will be transparent and that agriculture will not pay the price for advantages in other sectors”.
Matecna confirmed that the October Agriculture Council would be briefed on the study to be presented by the Commission on the cumulative effect on agriculture of free-trade agreements.
Organic farming. The Slovak Presidency will continue the work done on organic farming by the Dutch Presidency to try to reach final agreement this year. Nine trialogue meetings have already taken place and “we will do all we can to make progress on this matter”, Matecna said. She suggested that “the Council position is coming closer to that of the Parliament”. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)