Brussels, 21/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers of the Member States of the EU will meet on Monday in Brussels to discuss the consequences of reforms in the sugar sector for producers in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and least developed countries (LDCs). They will note the very busy programme under the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU (see pages 12 and 13) and will focus on measures which could be taken to help the fisheries and aquaculture sector in Asia, destroyed by the tsunami of 26 December.
Sugar: the European Agriculture Ministers will meet ministers or representatives from ACP countries which are signatories of the sugar protocol pf partnership agreements with the EU in the afternoon, as well as representatives from LDCs benefiting from the Community “Everything but Arms” initiative. This exchange of views will be attended by the relevant Commissioners (Mariann Fischer Boel for Agriculture, Louis Michel for Development and Peter Mandelson for Trade). This meeting should enable the EU to get a better idea of the concerns raised by the sugar reform in the countries which benefit from a preferential regime for their exports in the Community market. A European Commission working document, dated 17 January, envisages an “action plan” for ACP producers affected by the sugar reform.
On Wednesday, during the presentation of the presidency's priorities to MEPs, the Luxembourg Agriculture Minister, Fernand Boden, recognised that if the current proposals from the European Commission were adopted, some sugar production would have to stop in some Member States of the EU, but also in some ACP countries. According to Mr Boden, the Commission has “promised” to create a “supplementary programme” for ACP countries, designed to: - strengthen competitiveness in sugar production “where this is possible”; - help sugar producers in these countries to change product; - induce ACP producers not to export only raw products, but also processed sugar products (which have greater added value that sugar).
With regard to LDCs, Mr Boden said that some countries did not want access to zero tariffs in the EU (as planned for 2009 onwards in the initiative “Everything but Arms”), but rather the establishment of quotas, “with better prices” (than the Community price, which is in danger of falling following reform). The idea would be to fix import quotas for these countries with guaranteed prices, rather like what the EU plans to do with the Western Balkan countries. On that front, and contrary to original plans, the Council will not discuss the proposal to replace the free access to the EU from which the Western Balkans benefit for their sugar with a system of quotas. This dossier requires further examination at expert level.
Aid for fisheries in Asia following the tsunami: in addition to the emergency humanitarian aid provided by the European Union to devastated communities, the Commission is examining a range of possible actions to contribute to the reconstruction of the fisheries and aquaculture sector in these Asian countries. If the Member States accept it, the Commission could soon table a proposal allowing the transfer of Community vessels (destined for destruction) to the devastated coasts of the Indian Ocean. Under the current rules for the financial instrument for fisheries guidance (FIFG), aid from sending vessels to third countries is no longer permitted since the end of 2004. The Commission's aim would be to “temporarily and exceptionally” lift the “legal obstacles” which prevent the transfer of Community vessels to third countries. In parallel, the Fisheries Commissioner, Joe Borg, has asked the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to assess needs in terms of fleets and equipment in the communities affected. Another measure envisaged is one of making expertise and technical assistance (production, processing and marketing of fisheries products) rapidly available.
Other subjects: Austria, with the support of other countries (France, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia) wants to discuss the issue of the balance of the cereals market (export refunds and intervention, see other news). Poland will raise the issue of veterinary certificates for trade with Russia. Latvia will ask to be able to grant aid to its farmers who were affected by a terrible storm during the night of 8 to 9 January.