Brussels, 18/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European agriculture ministers, who met in Council on Monday, held a policy debate on premiums in the tobacco sector. They were briefed on the latest developments concerning BSE. As EUROPE goes to press, the Fifteen are beginning discussion on the agricultural aspects of enlargement.
Tobacco. Ministers confirmed their differences over the European Commission proposal concerning the fixing of premiums and guaranteed thresholds in the tobacco sector. As during the preparatory debates in Council, the elements of the Commission's strategy aimed at phasing out subsidies in favour of tobacco producers opposed the producer countries (Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Austria and Portugal) to the other delegations (see EUROPE of 15 February, p.9). Thus, the producer countries called for suppression of "recital No 5" of the proposal (which mentions the phasing out of subsidies and retraining of farmers, with reference to the Commission's Communication on sustainable development presented to the European Council of Gothenburg, as they mainly consider that the disappearance of Community raw tobacco production would have no impact on tobacco consumption (this lack of supply would be offset by a rise in imported products). These countries also note the legally disputable nature of the recital, as this communication has not yet been examined by the Council. Eight countries (Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom, Belgium and Ireland) share to a large extent the political approach followed by the Commission, even though some would like to go further, mainly by reducing the duration of extension of the aid regime (the Commission proposes three years). Division within the Council also appeared concerning the new missions that the Commission hopes to assign to the Community Tobacco Fund. Greece, Spain, France and Portugal expressed reservation about the abolition of agronomical research under the Fund, as suggested by the Commission. Franz Fischler replied that this activity would continue to be financed, but using other means. These four countries were also opposed to the proposal aimed at increasing from 2 to 5% (in 2004) the amount withheld on premiums serving to finance the fund. Council President Miguel Arias Canete decided to refer the dossier for a more detailed examination back to the Special Agriculture Committee (SAC) and called on the Council's legal service to examine the legal link between recital No 5 and the regulatory provision proposed, while specifying that the recital was not binding.
BSE. German Minister Renate Künast reported on the irregularities discovered in his country (Bavaria, Rhineland North Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg) concerning BSE screening. The German authorities decided, as a precautionary measure, to recall the meat of some 9000 bovines tested by a private laboratory that did not comply with the standards. The license of this establishment was suspended. In this context, Commissioner David Byrne pointed out that one could decide not to cofinance the tests carried out in an irregular way, and encouraged the Member States to review their national procedures for approving laboratories and to ensure that the tests are carried out correctly. Mr Byrne approved the decision of the federal authorities to withdraw the meat concerned from the market, "even if there are no significant risks". This subject will be discussed on Wednesday by the Standing Veterinary Committee.
Mr Byrne also briefed ministers on the latest developments concerning the fight against BSE. He pointed out that the number of BSE cases discovered in 2001 (957 without counting those recorded in the United Kingdom, i.e. 1161) has almost doubled compared to 2000 (482), but that this recrudescence of BSE cases was to be accounted for by the screening of animals believed to be healthy (on arriving at the slaughteryards). The results of the inspection missions of the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) conducted in candidate countries have shown that many problems noted in Member States are to be found in these countries also: - faulty epidemiological surveillance; - shortcomings in the implementation of the ban on bone and meat meal; - failure to respect the legislation on withdrawing high risk materials. Mr Byrne specified that other FVO missions would be sent to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.
Italy's contribution to mid-term review of CAP: Italian Agriculture Minister, Mr Alemanuo, presented to the other delegations of the Council his contribution to the next mid-term review of Common Agricultural Policy (see EUROPE of 13 February, p.14).
We point out that the decision on national aid in the wine sector has been postponed in order to allow Denmark to lift its parliamentary reserve on this subject.