Brussels, 10/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - EU agriculture and fisheries ministers will meet on Monday 13 July at 11.00am to be apprised of and to discuss the work programme of the Swedish Presidency for the next six months, to debate plans to extend the intervention period for butter and milk powder, and to be briefed on the implementation of an agricultural research strategy by the commissioner responsible. In the afternoon, the Council will hold an exchange of views on the effects of climate change on agriculture. There are no fisheries items on the agenda for this Council, which is expected to finish around 6.00pm.
President in office of the Agriculture Council Eskil Erlandsson will set out for his EU counterparts his priorities for the next six months in agriculture and fisheries. The main issues will be sustainable fisheries, global challenges (food and climate), food security, and sound animal husbandry and animal health.
Extending intervention periods for dairy products. The Commission will present a proposal extending the intervention period for butter and skimmed milk powder to help alleviate the difficulties encountered on the milk market (see details of the proposal in EUROPE 9938). To prevent the system of intervention from becoming an outlet in itself, Article 11 of regulation 1234/2007 on a common market organisation (CMO) in the agriculture sector (Single Common Market Organisation regulation) states that butter and skimmed milk powder public intervention shall only be available from 1 March to 31 August. Due to the exceptional situation on the dairy market, and since the closing of public intervention is dependent on market price levels, the allowed period should be extended until the end of February 2010, under the Commission plan.
Agricultural Research. Research Commissioner Janez Potoènik will brief ministers on the communication “Towards a coherent strategy for a European Agricultural Research Agenda”. This text is informed on the outcome of: - the various initiatives undertaken by the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) (see http: //ec.europa.eu/research/agriculture/scar/index_en.cfm); - and the results of a European Commission-funded “EU-AGRI-MAPPING” project (see http: //http://www.europartnersearch.net/eu-agri-mapping/index.php?page=main ). The European Council of 20 June 2008 stated that “there is a need to pursue innovation, research and development of agricultural production, notably to enhance its energy efficiency, productivity growth and ability to adapt to climate change”. In order to cope with new challenges, it is widely acknowledged that there is a need for a strong agricultural research area within Europe.
Adapting to Climate Change.
The Council will have a first exchange of views on a working document accompanying the White Paper “Adapting to Climate Change: the challenge for European agriculture and rural areas”. The working document summarises the main impacts of climate change on EU agriculture. Over the coming decades agriculture will be influenced by climate change both globally and within the EU. Even though EU agriculture is technologically developed, its capacity to deliver food is directly dependent on climatic conditions.
Other Business. The Lithuanian delegation will ask the European Commission for an increase in export refunds for certain cheeses (Edam, Gouda, Tilsit, and others). Lithuania complains that refunds for these products have not been increased since they were re-introduced in January 2009. Slovenia will raise the issue of endangered bee species. (L.C./transl.rt)