Brussels, 10/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - In June the Luxembourg presidency is planning on the adoption of the proposal on the new European agricultural fund for rural development (2007-13) and an initial debate on the legislative proposals on reform of the sugar sector. The presidency is also planning on the adoption of new rules on organic farming and technical amendments to common wine and tobacco groups.
Agriculture and fisheries ministers from the EU Member States will meet under the chairmanship of their Luxembourg counterpart Fernand Boden on 24 and 28 February, 14 March, 26 April, 30 May and 20-21 June. Their usual informal meeting will be on 8-10 May in Luxembourg.
Agricultural and rural development: on the first presentation on 30 May the presidency is expecting legislative proposals on sugar reform. An initial exchange of views on this case will take place in June as well. The Council is expected to adopt: on 28 February, the proposal to extend by 2 years (2005/06 and 2006/07) Community quotas on potato starch production (EUROPE 8 December 2004); on 14 March, a proposal to amend certain egg trading standards; 26 April, changes to the rice sector following negotiations begun at the WTO with third country suppliers; in June, the new European rural Development Funds, technical amendments to the wine and tobacco sectors, amendments to the 1991 regulation on organic farming.
Ministers are expected to discuss on 30 May, proposals in the milk sector (market regulation instruments, protein content in preserved milk and fat content of drinking milk) and take not on 14 March of the Communication on risk management in the agricultural sector. The Council is also expected to discuss a proposal in May on the definition, classification, presentation and labelling for spirits.
For forestry, the Luxembourg presidency is planning on the adoption in March of Council conclusions on forestry strategy application in the EU and an orientation debate in May on implementing the voluntary system for wood imports ("Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade"), "FLEGT".
Veterinary policy and food safety: the presidency hopes to continue strengthening legislation on animal health and welfare (after presentation of proposals in March and the planned adoption in June of amendments to the 1990 directive on avian flu and a new direction on broiler chickens) and public health (political agreement expected in June on extending measures taken in 2001 to fight against transmissible spongiform encephalopathies).
Common Fisheries Policy (CFP): the most important cases involving setting up measures (controversial) for management of fish resources in the Mediterranean (debate in March and expected adoption in June), the setting up of the European Fisheries Inspection Agency to be based in Vigo, Spain (the presidency wants adoption of the regulation by 14 March) and the continuation in April and June of the examination of the proposal on the new European Fisheries Fund (2007-13). The presidency is also planning: in March a debate on technical measures for protecting resources in waters of the Baltic Sea, the Belts and Oresund (expected adoption in June); in April, an exchange of views on conservation measures of European eel stocks and a simplification of the Common Fisheries (CFP) rules; the adoption of a proposal to set up an international rebuilding plan for Greenland halibut and the presentation of a proposal on action not covered by the European Fisheries Fund (2007-13); in June the official adoption of rebuilding plans for sole, Southern hake, Spanish and Portuguese lobster (following the December 2004 decisions on planning these measures); orientation debate on access to waters and resources outside the 12 mile limit and sensitive biological areas (Shetland Box/Plaice Box). European fisheries ministers could also discuss in June a European Commission communication on long term fish stock management plans.