On Monday 28 January in Brussels, EU agriculture ministers will once again discuss proposals for the post 2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The Romanian Presidency of the Council will present its work programme for the first half of 2019 (see EUROPE 12179).
CAP. The Council will discuss the new delivery model (results-oriented) and the wine related provisions (see EUROPE 12177). The Commission will also inform ministers about the new 'green' architecture of the post 2020 CAP proposals.
Ministers will be asked two questions on the delivery model. The first relates to the monitoring of results through annual reports. The second question concerns the agricultural crisis reserve (proposed carry-over mechanism of unused amounts in the year 2020 to set up the agricultural reserve in 2021).
On greening, the articulation of the different mechanisms (reinforced conditionality, a voluntary green direct payment and agri-environmental measures under the second pillar) raises questions. European Commissioner Phil Hogan will try to reassure Member States on this point. Its services have prepared a document detailing the entire mechanism for this green architecture for the CAP and its supposed advantages.
Regarding wine, ministers will have to say whether they agree to open the market to wine grape varieties belonging to Vitis labrusca and to the six banned varieties. The Commission proposes to give Member States and the wine sector the possibility of using varieties belonging to the species Vitis labrusca and the varieties Noah, Othello, Isabelle, Jacquez, Clinton and Herbemont, which were banned several years ago for reasons that some no longer consider valid.
Plant proteins. The Commission will present to the Council its report on the development of plant proteins in the European Union.
In 'any other business', the following topics will be addressed: - results of the ministerial conference on the Eradication of African Swine Fever in the EU and the long-term management of wild boar populations (19 December 2018); - establishment of an International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions (request from Denmark); - dual quality of foodstuffs (request from Slovakia); - rural development and the multiannual financial framework (MFF - request from many EU countries). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)