Finland's EU Council Presidency hopes to encourage Member States to make maximum progress on the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) proposals, as announced on Monday 1 July at the meeting of the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA).
The Finnish Presidency plans to hold debates on the CAP at each semestrial ‘Agriculture’ Council, but considers that it is too early to obtain a 'partial general approach' by the EU Council on this issue by the end of 2019 (see EUROPE 12285/14).
This will depend on the outcome of the EU leaders' negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027. The Finnish Presidency hopes for a compromise at the European Council in December 2019 on the next MFF, but this result will be very difficult to achieve.
Transitional measures. Due to delays in the post-2020 CAP negotiations, the Commission could present proposals in the autumn on transitional measures for the CAP. The provisional timetable for the EU Council under the Finnish Presidency provides for a discussion by the European Ministers of Agriculture on transitional measures on 14 October.
Climate. The Finnish Presidency has already scheduled a debate at the Agriculture Council on 15 July on 'climate and environment' aspects (green architecture, eco-regimes, reinforced conditionality) of the proposals on the post-2020 CAP.
At this EU Council meeting on 15 July, the Commission will present the conclusions of the High-level group on sugar. It will also provide information on animal welfare during transport in high summer temperatures and on the action plan to increase the availability of low-risk plant protection products.
Trade and bio-economy. At the EU Council meeting on 16 September, ministers will discuss in particular the agricultural aspects of trade negotiations with third countries and also the bio-economy.
The post-2020 strategy on forests will be discussed by the ‘Agriculture’ Council at its meeting on 14 and 15 October.
Market situation. At the EU Council meeting on 18 November, the Commission will review the situation on agricultural markets. At the SCA on 1 July, it informed delegations that the general market situation is relatively good (e. g. for milk and skimmed milk powder and poultry). The main markets are in a satisfactory and/or stable situation, according to the Commission, which nevertheless accepts certain weaknesses in the following sectors: sugar, beef, pigmeat, citrus fruits, apples and pears and olive oil. Some delegations criticised the recent agreement in principle between the EU and Mercosur on trade (see EUROPE 12286/3). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)