The European ministers for agriculture will meet in Brussels on Monday 15 July to discuss the work programme of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council and the agricultural aspects of negotiations with third countries on free trade agreements.
István Nagy, the Hungarian Minister for Agriculture, will present his priorities for the upcoming semester (see EUROPE 13443/11). A number of legislative dossiers are up for negotiation, including proposals on new genomic techniques, plant reproductive material, the framework for forest surveillance, animal transport and the welfare of dogs and cats. “We also want to devote energy and attention to the objective of reducing food waste”, according to a European diplomat.
On the sensitive issue of new genomic techniques, Hungary has circulated a working document on a number of subjects (patentability, labelling rules, separation between categories 1 and 2 plants). “We want to bring a new dynamic to the negotiations. We are continuing the negotiations and, should the opportunity arise to obtain a qualified majority in favour of an EU Council position, we would be delighted” to obtain it, according to a European diplomat.
Another highlight of the semester is the examination of two long-awaited proposals aimed at improving the position of farmers in the food supply chain: the amendment of the regulation on the common organisation of the market and the proposal on combating the cross-border effects of unfair trade practices. The Hungarian Presidency intends to begin negotiations on these issues.
Hungary also hopes that the EU Council will soon adopt conclusions on the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The informal meeting of agriculture ministers from 8 to 10 September in Budapest will be devoted to this subject.
On Monday, the EU ‘Agriculture’ Council will debate ways of improving the long-term viability of rural areas (generational renewal and demographic aspects). The EU Council will examine ways to ensure a prosperous long-term vision for sustainable, resilient and viable rural areas. In the EU, 43% of land in rural areas is agricultural and 47% is made up of forests and natural areas. According to the most recent data (2021) on the EU’s population, almost 30% of the EU’s population lives in rural areas.
At their working lunch, the agriculture ministers will discuss the preservation of European food traditions.
In addition, the EU ‘Agriculture’ Council will review the latest developments in agri-food trade. This debate will be based on information from the Commission and the Hungarian Presidency on the current state of international agricultural trade issues.
Among the miscellaneous items, the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council will discuss the results of the ‘BIOEAST’ political forum on the advancement of research and innovation in Central and Eastern Europe (4 July in Brussels).
The Austrian delegation will raise the issue of European forestry and agriculture as the backbone of a prosperous and competitive Europe, while the Spanish delegation will call for a simplification of certain procedures concerning Community programmes to promote EU agricultural products. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)