The priorities of the Slovenian EU Council Presidency in the field of agriculture include the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), organic farming, and forestry.
Presenting the priorities for the next 6 months, Slovenian Minister of Agriculture Jože Podgoršek told the press on Friday 2 July that one of the most important issues during the six-month period would be the long-term vision for rural areas, which will be discussed at the informal meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers on 6-7 September.
The Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council is also planning to organise an event on smart villages with MEPs.
Another Slovenian priority is organic farming. The EU Council is expected to adopt conclusions on this issue at the Council meeting on 19 July in Brussels.
The financial situation of farmers should be discussed in October. Another important issue for the Slovenian Minister of Agriculture is the Directive on unfair trade practices and the origin of products, especially with regard to honey.
According to the provisional programme of the various EU Councils (https://bit.ly/2UpoZme ), at the Agriculture Council on 11-12 October, the ministers will discuss the preparation of the strategic plans for the CAP. The Commission will present the EU Forest Strategy.
At the meeting on 15-16 November, the ministers may adopt conclusions on the EU forest strategy. The Commission could present its emergency plan to ensure food supply and security. Finally, an interim report on the position of farmers in the food chain could be discussed in the EU Council.
At the Council meeting on 13-14 December, the ministers will discuss the proposal to revise geographical indications and take stock of the discussions on the proposal to minimise the risk of deforestation and forest degradation associated with products placed on the EU market. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur and Camille-Cerise Gessant)