Experts from EU Member States asked for clarification on some of the European Parliament's amendments to the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation at the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) meeting on Monday 18 January.
This text is one of the three proposals reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (see EUROPE 12634/6).
The Council of the EU is asking the European Parliament to explain its position, in particular on trade with non-Member States. Parliament proposes to apply additional import duties in cases of non-compliance with EU environmental and health standards. Some States are questioning the compatibility of these amendments with World Trade Organization rules.
Regarding public intervention, the EU Council is opposed to the MEPs' amendment which makes it possible throughout the year.
The national delegations are ready to discuss the extension of the list of products eligible for public intervention.
The next inter-institutional negotiations in trilogue on the CMO regulation are scheduled for Wednesday 27 January.
The Agriculture Council, scheduled for 25 January, has been cancelled. It is being replaced by an informal ministerial meeting by videoconference on the same day. The agenda includes an update on the European Parliament/EU Council talks on CAP reform and an exchange of views on free trade agreements between the EU and non-Member States. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)