On Monday 30 January, the EU Member States’ Agriculture Ministers are meeting in Brussels under the chairmanship of Swedish Minister Peter Kullgren to discuss the situation of agricultural markets in the context of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.
The ministerial meeting will be attended by the European Commissioners for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, Health, Stella Kyriakides, and Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius.
The meeting will begin with a presentation of the work programme of the Swedish Presidency of the EU Council.
Agricultural markets. Ministers will review the situation of agricultural markets in the Member States, based on a presentation by the Commission.
They will discuss further measures to help Ukraine and support those sectors of the EU most affected by the effects of the war. The ‘Agriculture’ Council will discuss the divisive issue of the possible use of the agricultural reserve in the event of a crisis (see EUROPE 13106/13).
Bioeconomy. A ministerial debate is planned on the opportunities offered by the bioeconomy, particularly in light of current geopolitical challenges. The bioeconomy can contribute to addressing several of the challenges in the areas of climate, employment, competitiveness and energy.
The Swedish Presidency of the EU Council has drafted a note to frame the discussions (https://aeur.eu/f/537 ).
Imports from Ukraine. The Polish delegation will raise the issue (https://aeur.eu/f/539 ) of the impact of increased agricultural imports from Ukraine on local markets and will call for “compensation for farmers affected by the increased influx of products from Ukraine on the markets of EU Member States”.
At the request of Greece, the EU Council will discuss the need for urgent support to farmers and a “strategic approach to the agri-food sector in the short and long term”, to ensure the EU’s resilience and competitiveness at global level, given the impact of the energy crisis and inflation on the agricultural sector (https://aeur.eu/f/53c ).
Transport of animals. On behalf of the Portuguese delegation, the Ministers will hold a public exchange of views on the forthcoming revision of the legislation on animal transport (see EUROPE 13103/4). Portugal and seven other countries are calling for the maintenance of trade in live animals.
Industrial emissions. In addition, the Swedish Presidency would like to discuss the agricultural aspects of the proposed revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive (https://aeur.eu/f/53a ). Special provisions are made for the rearing of poultry, pigs and cattle, which are of concern to delegations (see EUROPE 13101/11).
Linked payments. The Hungarian delegation, together with other countries, will request a temporary derogation from the maximum threshold for coupled income support measures for 2023 (https://aeur.eu/f/538 ). This would give Member States an additional tool to help farmers using existing and pre-allocated financial resources, without disadvantaging Member States with limited room for manoeuvre in their national budgets.
Honey. On behalf of the Slovenian delegation, the Ministers will exchange views on a possible revision of the Honey Directive to allow for clearer labelling of the origin of the product (https://aeur.eu/f/53b ).
Finally, the Ministers will be briefed by the German delegation on the ministerial conference held in the framework of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture in Berlin on 21 January (https://aeur.eu/f/53d ). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)