Brussels, 20/05/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 25 May at 14H30, agriculture and fisheries ministers from EU member states will meet up to debate reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and adopt conclusions on measures to take in continuation of the exercise in simplifying Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) rules. Jakub Sebesta, the new Czech minister for agriculture, will chair the debate.
Green paper on Common Fisheries Policy reform. The Council will proceed to an exchange of views on the future of Common Fisheries Policy reform. In their first reactions, member states agreed on the need to carry out deep-seated reform in order to improve management and decision-making. Delegation discussions focused on overcapacity, discards, quota management, coastal fishing support and a review of the financial rules.
Simplification of Common Agricultural Policy. The Council will also adopt conclusion, welcoming the Commission's communication, “A Simplified CAP for Europe - a Success for All”. On 24 April, the Council held an orientation debate on this communication. The Council's preparatory bodies then drew up the conclusions to be adopted by the Council.
Pork and Milk. As part of “miscellaneous” points for discussion, Ffance, which is expected to be supported by many delegations, will call on the Commission to reactivate implementation of the export refunds for pork meat. France says “this will allow for a significant adjustment in market prices in the pork sector and help meet the big losses incurred by pork producers over the last two years.” France will also make a statement decrying the situation in the milk sector. Other points on the miscellaneous agenda involve: Commission declarations on the next stages for the gradual elimination of discards, cattle compensation for damages caused by large carnivores (demand from the Finnish delegation), food prices (demand from the Polish delegation), United Nations Sustainable Development Committee (New York, 4-15 May, information from the presidency). (L.C./trans/rh)