EU agriculture ministers will meet in Luxembourg on Monday 24 June to approve a set of conclusions on the future of agriculture under the chairmanship of Belgian Minister David Clarinval.
The Belgian Presidency of the EU Council has prepared a set of conclusions that provide a basis for reflection on a medium and long-term response to the challenges facing the agricultural sector. The draft conclusions take account of the comments made by delegations and were examined by the Special Committee on Agriculture (SCA) prior to the EU Council meeting.
The text is structured around a number of themes, namely: - a strong and competitive European agricultural sector; - promotion of innovation; - the need for simplification to reduce the administrative burden; - support for young farmers and those new to farming and generational renewal; - resilience to climate change and preservation of the environment. The conclusions invite the future European Commission to address the issues raised when drawing up its work programme for the forthcoming years.
The Council of the EU will take stock of progress regarding negotiations on the proposal for a regulation on the production and marketing of plant reproductive material (see EUROPE 13435/24).
Among ‘other business’ items on the agenda at this Council meeting, Bulgaria, Romania and Poland will raise the issue of State aid within the context of the consequences of the war in Ukraine for agricultural production (price rises in respect of fertilisers, plant protection products and animal feed). These countries feel that the temporary framework on State aid lacks flexibility. This text stipulates that in the agricultural sector, the support granted to a company under this remit may not exceed €280,000. Bulgaria, Romania and Poland suggest abolishing this ceiling for agricultural businesses or at the very least, increasing it to €560,000.
The Belgian Presidency will inform the EU Council of the results of the symposium on 25 April 2024 on front-of-pack nutrition labelling systems.
Several delegations will also provide information to the EU Council on the following subjects: the eligibility of expenses related to the purchase of breeding animals in the context of CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) Strategic Plans (Romanian delegation: https://aeur.eu/f/cr3 ), measures to prevent the loss of funds and reduce the administrative burden in the management of EAFRD funds (Bulgarian delegation), major damage caused by adverse weather events (Croatian delegation).
Finally, the EU Council is expected to approve its position (general approach: https://aeur.eu/f/cr5 ) on the proposal to set up a Standing Forestry Committee, despite the European Commission's criticism of the agreed text (https://aeur.eu/f/cr2 ). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)