On Monday 23 October in Luxembourg, the Austrian Minister for Agriculture, Norbert Totschnig, suggested a series of concrete measures to stabilise agricultural markets, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine triggered by Russia.
In a document (see EUROPE 13274/26), Austria proposes a series of measures to facilitate trade with Ukraine (expansion of transhipment and transport capacities to EU ports from the Danube, monitoring of Ukrainian exports, etc.) and to protect the EU in the event of market disturbances (safeguard clauses for certain sensitive agricultural products). Austria has also called for a cautious implementation of the ‘European Green Deal’.
Several ministers supported Austria’s requests, including Hungary (need to stabilise markets, safeguard clause for certain products), Poland (measures to protect markets from excessive imports of cheaper foodstuffs), Bulgaria, Latvia and Slovakia.
Germany has defended the need to apply the ‘European Green Deal’ and, as far as Ukraine is concerned, it, like others (Poland, Ireland, Denmark), has given priority to strengthening the capacity of solidarity channels designed to facilitate the export of Ukrainian products.
France reiterated its message on the reciprocity of production standards, a condition for the success of the ‘Green Deal’.
Slovakia, Finland and Luxembourg also welcomed the European Commission’s launch of the strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture.
Denmark and the Netherlands have called for rapid agreement on the proposal to regulate new genomic techniques.
At the EU Council meeting, the European Commission stressed that the general situation on the markets was more stable than in the previous two years. However, some sectors are giving cause for concern (cereals, fruit and vegetables, wine).
Organics. Lithuania discussed the future of the organic farming sector, which is in difficulty. The Commission replied that its assessment of consumption trends differs somewhat from that of a general decline in consumption. The latest consolidated figures show an upward trend for the European organic products market, with the value rising from €39 billion in 2019 to €45 billion in 2020 and €46.7 billion in 2021.
Lastly, the Italian delegation provided information (https://aeur.eu/f/97u ) on the Commission’s draft work programme for 2024 with regard to the EU’s policy on promoting agri-food products (concern about actions to promote meat). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)