Over the next 6 months, the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU will be keen to make progress in negotiations between EU Member States on the sustainable use of pesticides and new genomic techniques.
The new rotating Presidency of the Council states in its work programme (https://aeur.eu/f/7v4 ) that it wishes to continue its efforts to combat the effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, such as market distortions and rising raw material and energy costs.
Spain is also hoping to persuade the EU Council and the European Parliament to reach a compromise on the regulation on agricultural geographical indications (GIs) (see EUROPE 13211/26).
New technologies will be the theme of the informal ministerial meeting in Cordoba on 4 and 5 September.
At the EU Council meeting on 25 July, EU ministers will debate the additional impact study analysing the effects of the proposal on the sustainable use of pesticides on food safety (see EUROPE 13203/14). According to the provisional EU Council timetable (https://aeur.eu/f/7v9 ), they will also give their views on the proposal concerning new genomic techniques (see EUROPE 13203/14) and on the proposal regarding seeds. These three texts will be presented by the European Commission on Wednesday 5 July.
During the EU Council meeting on 18-19 September, the ministers will discuss the agricultural aspects of the proposals concerning: - the objective of reducing food waste; - soil protection.
Other issues expected to be discussed at the EU Council include agricultural issues linked to free trade agreements between the EU and certain third countries, and the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas.
At the EU Council meeting on 23 and 24 October, a further ministerial debate will be held on the ‘seeds and new genomic techniques package’. The Spanish Presidency of the EU Council will be taking stock of the future regulation on carbon certification.
On 20 and 21 November, the agriculture ministers will respond to the European Commission’s proposals on the revision of European legislation on animal welfare and the proposal for a regulation on a framework for sustainable food systems. The EU Council should also adopt conclusions on a long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas.
The Spanish Presidency of the Council also plans to present to the EU Council the state of negotiations with the European Parliament on the GI dossier.
The EU Council meeting on 11 and 12 December will be dominated by the search for common positions on NGTs and pesticides.
For this last EU Council of the year, the ministers will also have an exchange of views on the assessment of the first year of application of the strategic plans implementing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
Finally, the Spanish Presidency will provide an update on discussions concerning the revision of marketing standards applicable to a certain number of agri-food products, such as fruit and vegetables, fruit juices and jams, honey, poultry and eggs. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)