The representatives of the EU institutions were unable to make any progress in negotiations on organic farming when they met on Wednesday 22 March.
The sticking point was the way of working, with MEPs wanting compromise texts to be presented during technical group discussions (see EUROPE 11750). The Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU is reported to have made the point that the mandate amended by the member states had been hard won and this meant that the room for manoeuvre is very restricted. According to sources, a further trialogue meeting could be held at the start of May, following April’s technical meetings.
Word comes from the Parliament that rapporteur Martin Haüsling (Greens/EFA, Germany) would shortly consult with the shadow rapporteurs (MEPs who monitor an issue for political groups other than that of the rapporteur) to assess the way forward. Sources have also indicated, that there was a great deal of tension at Wednesday’s trialogue and very little progress on the substance of the matter. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)