Brussels, 23/05/2003 (Agence Europe) - The ministers responsible for agriculture and fisheries in the EU Member States will meet, next Monday and Tuesday in Brussels, under the Presidency of their Greek counterpart, Georgios Drys. In particular they will to attempt to open the way for a political agreement in June over a reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Among the other subjects on the agenda of the Council are the coexistence between GMO and traditional productions and, with regards to fishing, the issue of access to Western waters (see story above with regards to the problems concerning the Irish Box) as well as the socio-economic consequences of the Cod crisis. The dossiers linked to fisheries as well as those stemming from the competences of Commissioner David Byrne (BSE, animal feed and systems) will be tackled on Monday, between 11am and 15pm, to leave the field free for negotiations over CAP that will run into the evening (between the EU 15) and also the next day (with the participation of candidate countries).
- CAP reform: We are determined to do our utmost to reach an agreement in June in Luxembourg (or to extend the meeting by a few days), assured, on Friday, a source from the Greek Presidency, who felt that, since Corfu, we have the feeling that there exists a general will to succeed. Obviously, everybody does not share the same vision of the final result, but we are only at the start of the negotiations, added this source. To structure the debates that will take place according to 'bilateral' method, the Presidency has prepared a questionnaire covering the most important policy themes: - the single payment per operator (decoupling); - the transfer of rights; - modulation and decreasing scale of aids; - cereals and milk and milk products. The results of these debates should serve as a working tool for the Presidency and the Commission in view of the drafting of a compromise in June (while awaiting the Parliament's opinion). The working method adopted (bilateral) should allow for the establishment of a shopping list of Member States demands and in particular a list of difficult points over which some delegations appear intransigent.
- Coexistence of GMO with conventional and biological agriculture: Mr Fischler will report on the results of the roundtable on 24 April covering this theme and will inform the Council of the state of progress of an awaited Communication on the 'guidelines' in terms of coexistence (EUROPE of 26 April 2003, p. 11 and 24 April 2003, p. 17). Certain delegations, such as Italy, should criticise the strategy favoured by the Commission, which contents itself with leaving the Member States with the responsibility of finding solutions to resolve this problem.
- Socio-economic consequences of plan for reconstitution of cod stocks: In addition to examining compromise solutions to resolve the problem of the expiry of the Irish Box (see story above), Mr Fischler will turn to the European Parliament request (resolution by the British Conservative Struan Stevenson) for an allocation of EUR 150 million to be paid to fishermen in order for them to overcome the economic and social repercussions of the North Sea, Ireland and West Scotland stock reconstitution plan (EUROPE of 14 March 2003). In its resolution the EP invites the Commission to present, by next 30 June, a proposal in this along these lines. The Commission should receive indications on the needs of the Member States concerned.
- Animal meal: Commissioner David Byrne will present, firstly, the report adopted on 24 April that argues the lack of need for establishing a 'positive' list of raw materials authorised in animal meals (EUROPE of 25 April 2003, p. 15) and, secondly, the proposals dating back to 14 April, on new requirements in terms of hygiene for animal meals. Mr Byrne will also discuss the latest developments in terms of BSE and notably the emergence of the first case of 'mad cow's disease' in Canada.
- Improvement of transparency in the early warning system: The Commission will present ideas in view of improving transparency in the early warning system for human and animal foodstuffs. The Commission intends to publish on the Internet a report, which will be updated each week, on the foodstuff problems notified by the Member States and the products concerned (the brand of the product and the name of the company targeted will, however, not be detailed).
- Transportation of productive livestock: As a general point, the German delegation will ask the Commission when it intends to present a an eagerly awaited proposal aiming to improve the conditions of transportation for productive livestock.