Brussels, 16/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Agriculture Ministers are to meet on Tuesday in Brussels, from 15h00, for a Council session essentially devoted to reform of the common market organisation (CMO) for sheep and goat meat and to various matters relating to beef and veal, such as market developments, export refunds for live cattle and the latest epidemiological data for BSE. The issue that will probably be the subject of intense negotiation (possibly continuing late into Tuesday night) will be that of the proposal by Franz Fischler on simplifications to the sheep and goat regime, for which President-in-Office of the Council Annemie Neyts hopes the Council will reach a political agreement (for budgetary reasons, the deadline for adoption of the regulation being set for 31 December). Furthermore, a working dinner is scheduled between the Fifteen and their counterparts from candidate countries.
- Sheepmeat. The Presidency and the Commission agreed to submit to the Council two substantive questions relating to premiums granted to the sector, namely the overall level of direct aid to sheep and goat producers and that of knowing whether it is possible, or not, to introduce a certain amount of flexibility in the management of premiums. The Agriculture Council held a first policy debate on these aspects of the proposal during its meeting in July (see EUROPE of 24 July, p.10). Seven producer Member States (Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Ireland, Austria, France) are expected to propose an increase ranging from 2 to 5 euros on the amounts of premiums proposed by the Commission (21 euros per ewe, 16.8 euros per sheep producing milk and for goat producers, and 7 additional euros for producers located in disadvantaged areas). Concerning the degree of flexibility that could be granted to countries to allow them to distribute premiums better, the Presidency called on ministers to give their opinions on preferences between the various solutions possible: - fixing national budgets in the regulation (after the fashion of the beef and veal system), which is the idea supported by several countries and by the European Parliament; - giving States the possibility to modulate premiums (French proposal supported by some countries); - allowing countries to convert unused individual premiums into national budgets (British option). Other technical details have still to be settled such as the buffer date for payment of premiums and making the granting of premiums subject to respect of the rules of identification and registration of sheep and goats. Mr Fischler, who hoped to make savings in 2002 by way of 400 million in this sector should put pressure on ministers so that they find a reasonable financial compromise, in the knowledge that a rise of one euro in premiums would cost EUR 60 million annually. With the saving envisaged by Mr Fischler, the 2002 budget for this sector would be EUR 1.8 billion while Agenda 2000 fixed a ceiling of EUR 1.930 billion.
- Export refunds for live animals. German Minister Renate Künast, who is said to be supported by certain delegations such as Sweden, Finland and Denmark, will intervene to once again call for abolition of export refunds for live animals. German public opinion was deeply shocked after pictures were broadcast showing the atrocious conditions in which a group of heifers (from Germany) had perished after being blocked in Libya after Libyan authorities had noted that the goods did not correspond to what they had asked for. Mr Fischler should note these concerns and perhaps explain what it is possible to do in the context of the beef and veal management committee, the latter being competent for fixing the level of refunds.
- Beef and veal. Mr Fischler will give an oral report on the situation of the market that today has several positive signs, even if the level of prices remains low. The countries that consider they are not yet out of the crisis (Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria) should intervene after Mr Fischler's presentation to echo the difficulties encountered by their livestock farmers.
- BSE and foot and mouth disease. Commissioner David Byrne is expected to inform ministers of the measures that he would soon like to present in order to strengthen legislation on the identification and traceability of sheep and goats so that lessons can be drawn from the foot and mouth epizootic. He is also to give a presentation of the BSE situation, insisting once more on the disparities between Member States as far as screening is concerned. Some ministers, and notably French national Jean Glavany, will call for the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to carry out BSE screening tests when they export beef and veal onto the Community market.
Ministers are expected to also adopt conclusions on the Commission's report on pesticides (see EUROPE of 31 July, p.5). The Council should adopt, without debate: - an amendment to the 1999 directive fixing maximum limit values in dioxins and furan in animal feed (see EUROPE of 21 July, p.6), after the agreement reached at Coreper; - and its common position on the animal by-products regulation.