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Last AGRIFISH Council focused on school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme and dairy products

ekampaki — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:31:46 +0000

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During the last AGRIFISH Council under the Greek Presidency held in Luxembourg (16-17.06.2014), Agriculture ministers discussed issues related to school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme, the future of dairy products as well as issues related to the adoption of the regulation on the fisheries landing obligation.

The Presidency highlighted the progress achieved during the first half of 2014 on the proposal for a regulation as regards the aid scheme for the supply of fruit and vegetables, bananas and milk in schools. The proposal aims to streamline the existing schemes with a view to increasing their efficiency and effectiveness and reducing the administrative burden. In light of the discussion in the Council, the main issues identified are the legal basis of the proposal, the objective and the scope of the regime and the financing provisions.

The Commission presented to the Council a report on the development of the market situation in the milk sector, as provided for in the “Milk Package” regulation which was designed with a view to the long-term future of the dairy sector following the end of the quota system next year in March. The next Presidency will have to decide on future work on this file.

The Council adopted conclusions on the Commission report on the implementation of the provisions concerning producer organisations, operational funds and operational programmes in the fruit and vegetable sector since the 2007 reform.

EU Ministers had an exchange of views on how member states intend to implement at national level the key elements of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), particularly as regards direct payments.

Ministers took stock of the preparations for the adoption by the Council of its position regarding a proposal for a regulation on the landing obligation. In addition, the Member States gave an update on the state of play of the preparation of discard plans at the regional level in line with the preparation of the implementation of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This allowed Member States to exchange opinions, experiences and information.

Under “Other items”, the Council adopted, inter alia, a decision authorising the opening of negotiations on agreements between the EU and third countries on trade in organic products. This should better balance these negotiations which are currently established on a system of unilateral equivalency.

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Meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH), Luxembourg 16-17.06.2014

Last AGRIFISH Council to take place in Luxembourg (16-17.06.2014)

ekampaki — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 06:42:30 +0000

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The last AGRIFISH Council, chaired by Greek Rural Development and Food minister, Georgios Karasmanis, is taking place in Luxembourg on 16-17 June.

On Monday, 16 June the Council will address agricultural issues. More specifically, ministers will be briefed on the progress concerning the Commission's proposal for a regulation on aid schemes for the supply of fruit and vegetables and milk in schools.

The Commission will also present a report on the development of the market situation in the dairy sector.

The Council could then adopt conclusions on the future of the dairy market and the fruit and vegetable sector. In addition, ministers will hold an exchange of views on the implementation of the CAP reform at national level.

On the second day, the Council will address fisheries issues. Ministers will take stock of the preparations for the adoption by the Council of its position regarding a proposal for a regulation on the landing obligation. In addition, the Commission will give an update on the state of play of the preparation of discard plans by Member States in line with the preparation of the implementation of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and ministers will have the opportunity to exchange their views.

Finally, ministers will be briefed on the animal health/ plant health/ controls legislative package, the use of antibiotics in animal farming, the indication of origin for meat, the emission ceilings for certain pollutants, the storms in Slovakia and the management of capelin stock.

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Plant protection measures adopted at AGRIFISH Council in Brussels (19.05.2014)

zchristidou — Mon, 19 May 2014 19:31:48 +0000

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Plant protection measures were adopted during the Council of Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels on 19 May chaired by Greek Minister of Rural Development and Food, Athanasios Tsaftaris.

The Agrifish Council, which convened in Brussels on 19 May under the chairmanship of Minister of Rural Development and Food, Athanasios Tsaftaris, examined the Commission’s report on the minor uses in the field of plant protection products.

Ministers also examined a number of issues, such as food loss and food waste, the protection of animals during transport, the agricultural aspects of the Climate and Energy Framework 2030, as well as state aids for rural development and measures to protect EU citrus from the risk of “citrus black spot disease” that has occurred in Africa.

Ministers of Agriculture had the opportunity to discuss, on the basis of the Commission’s report, about the creation of a European fund for plant protection products used on a smaller scale (minor uses). Although minor uses are considered by plant protection industry as economically inefficient, it is very a important issue for farmers, especially in countries like Greece, where the production is characterized by a wide range of different and specialized crops such as fruits, vegetables and floricultural plants.

The industry does not seem willing to produce such plant protection products because of high costs since demand is low. The lack of interest on the part of investors leads to a lack of authorized plant protection products, which - apart from high cost - may lead to the use of unauthorized products or to agriculture production losses. As minister Tsaftaris stated, “the issue of minor uses of plant protection products, is particularly important for the whole agriculture, since it affects a quarter of the crop of the EU, mainly in southern European countries”. Indeed, this problem affects 22% of the value of European crop production and at the same time creates an additional - over € 1 billion a year - cost to the farmers.

The debate organized by the Greek Presidency meant to seek all these measures that would ensure the availability of modern and efficient products in reasonable prices.

The Council supported the establishment of an independent technical secretariat, supported by a team of experts from all Member States. The aim of this technical secretariat will be to coordinate actions at national level and at stakeholder’s level, to create a database and to exchange information. The creation of an ERANET network on integrated pest management with special reference to minor uses was also supported.

The Council also considered measures to reduce food waste and food loss, a necessity dictated not only by social and ethical reasons, but also by economic and environmental reasons.
Ministers called for the extension of the list of products that do not require an indication of a “best before” date, an action that would reduce food waste by 20%. Ministers also examined possible actions to be taken to stimulate a better understanding and handling by consumers of “best before” dates. At the same time, they welcomed the revision of the existing legislation leading to food waste and loss.

The President of Agrifish Council, Minister Tsaftaris noted that, "agriculture must respond in a sustainable and effective way to the increasing global need for access to sufficient, safe and healthy foodstuffs. Unjustified food loss is the equivalent of a waste of resources. There is an urgent need for actions by the European Commission, to reduce wastage across the food chain, focusing on food safety and quality, for social, economical and environmental reasons."

The Council also dealt with the agricultural aspects of the Commission's proposals for the Climate and Energy 2030. The Commission's objectives focus on a 40% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and an increase of renewable energy to cover 27% of the EU's needs by 2030.

The Presidency emphasized to the need of analyzing the agricultural aspects of the Commission's proposals, in order to ensure effective coordination of this framework with the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy. It should also be taken into account the fact that agriculture both affects and is affected by goals on climate and energy and that ensuring adequate food production should not be compromised.

The Commission briefed the Council, at the request of the Spanish delegation on measures to be taken with regard to import controls in order to prevent the entry into the EU from South Africa of the harmful organism that causes Citrus black spot disease.

In addition, the Council took note of the request of Denmark and Sweden with regard to enforcing the protection of animals during transport and setting a maximum time limit for the transportation of live animals for slaughter.

The Agriculture Ministers also examined the Guidelines on State Aid that the Commission is working on under the funding framework for agriculture, forestry and rural development programmes 2014-2020.

Agriculture & Fisheries (AGRI)

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«AGRIdiversity»: the diversity of European agriculture at the heart of EU policies (Athens 4-6 May 2014)

mvaroucha — Tue, 06 May 2014 15:00:50 +0000

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The informal meeting of EU ministers of Agriculture took place in Athens from 4 to 6 of May, chaired by the Greek Minister of Rural Development and Food Mr Athanasios Tsaftaris. The key issue of the agenda was “Transforming the European agricultural diversity into strength”.

The Greek Presidency has chosen this specific topic with the goal to further turn the European diversity into strength.

Diversity covers all aspects from the capacity of production to the environmental and social-economic conditions of European member states and regions, while the implementation of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period 2014-2020 is based on the recognition of the wide diversification of agriculture across the EU.

The ministers had the opportunity to discuss the importance of the European agricultural diversity for the long-term development of economy, society and environment and also to exchange views on the ways the EU agricultural diversity can become an asset for European farmers and European economy in the current global context.

EU ministers also underlined the importance of needs and expectations of all sectors along the food chain with a view to food security, competitiveness, sustainability, cultural heritage and territorial development. Diversity of products and farming models across countries and regions are a key feature of the European agricultural model and at the same time a distinctive characteristic vis-à-vis the EU’s trading partners. Preserving agricultural diversity is fundamental to long-term sustainable economic, social and environmental development.

Moreover, the ministers stressed out that agricultural diversity contributes to improved food security and competitiveness, in particular for successful adaptation to a constantly changing environment and climate.

It was also stressed that CAP should be mobilized to preserve this diversity and transform it into strength. More specifically, the flexibility offered by the new policy framework can be used by the member states to make the most out of their potential to strengthen agricultural diversity. In this context, ministers agreed that the new CAP offers several tools for the young people to be involved in farming activities in rural areas, for the development of innovation in the agricultural sector, for agricultural research, for the development of the producers organizations etc. Additionally, there are various initiatives and tools to be used, such as promotion measures and new Rural Development Programmes.

The Greek Presidency pointed out the importance of incorporating the results of the discussions to the implementation of the new CAP and to other policy measures as well.

Agriculture & Fisheries (AGRI)

The diversity of European agriculture at the heart of EU policies (Informal meeting of Agriculture ministers, Athens 4-6.05.2014)

ekampaki — Fri, 02 May 2014 14:08:22 +0000

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Greek Minister of Rural Development and Food and AgriFish Council Chairman, A.Tsaftaris highlights the key issue on the agenda: “AGRidiversity»: the diversity of European agriculture at the heart of EU policies”.

The diversity of EU agriculture as a competitive advantage of the EU is the central issue on the agenda of the Council of Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries, taking place in Athens from 4 to 6 May (Zappeion Megaron). The Minister of Rural Development and Food and President of the Agrifish Council, will welcome his counterparts of the Member States for the meeting, in which representatives of the European Commission and the Council Secretariat will also participate.

The Greek Presidency has chosen the symbolic title aGRidiversity for its initiative «Transforming the European Agricultural Diversity into Strength." Diversity covers all aspects from the capacity of the production, to the environmental and social-economic conditions among Member States and the regions of the EU, while the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the period 2014-2020 recognises and bases its implementation in the wide diversification of the European agriculture across the EU.

The choice of the topic highlights the Greek Presidency’s belief that diversity is a competitive advantage of the EU towards its trading partners, in the current globalised context and a driving force for the economy. It leads to enormous diversification of processed products, of the structures and production methods, responding effectively to the needs and demands of society for quality products, but also for public goods and it is a driving force for enhancing sustainability and local development, which relays on the agricultural sector.

The aim of the Greek Presidency is for the discussions of the EU Ministers to conclude in a clear orientation for the mobilization of policies and instruments, which through the preservation and promotion of agricultural diversity will demonstrate the contribution of agriculture to the long term development of the economy, society, and the sustainable management of natural resources. It can also help attract young people to this sector, which offers extensive potential for creating productive jobs and for family farming, addressing the impact of climate change.

The discussion will be based on the questions included in the document prepared by the Greek Presidency. The Ministers and the European Commission will be invited to comment on the ways that EU agricultural diversity will become an asset for European farmers and the European economy in the current global context. They will also be invited to suggest the policy measures and tools of the new CAP, which can be mobilized in order to preserve and build on the diversity as well as the ways in which Member States will use the flexibility provided by the new CAP to exploit their potential in the most effective way.

For the Background Note and the Agenda, click here.

Agriculture & Fisheries (AGRI)

Important issues related to agriculture addressed today by AGRI Council in Luxembourg

pchoros — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 18:42:46 +0000

The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting took place in Luxembourg, today (14.04.2014), chaired by Athanasios Tsaftaris, Greek Minister for Rural Development and Food.

Firstly the Council adopted a set of legislative and non-legislative acts including a catalogue of Commission delegated acts in the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform package. Following that, ministers had an exchange of views on the report from the Commission on the functioning of the fruit and vegetable sector since the reform of 2007. They also dealt with the milk quota system, following the discussion at the last Agriculture Council in March on the "soft landing" measures with a view to the abolition of the quota system.

Finally, under the title “Any other business”, a list of items were also examined including the repercussions of drought conditions in Cyprus and the problems caused to winter crops by the frost in Latvia.

The functioning of the fruit and vegetable sector on the agenda of the AGRIFISH Council (Luxembourg 14.04.2014)

pmastroperrou — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 10:51:44 +0000

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The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting will take place in Luxembourg, on Monday 14 April 2014. The Council meeting will be chaired by Mr Athanasios Tsaftaris, Minister for Rural Development and Food.

Ministers will have an exchange of views on a report from the Commission on the functioning of the fruit and vegetable sector since the reform of 2007. Ministers will be also briefed on the milk quota system, on the adverse weather conditions and its impacts on the agricultural sector in Cyprus and Latvia and on a Conference on family farming that took place in Bucharest last week.

Concerning the Report on the fruit and vegetables sector, Ministers will have an exchange of views on the implementation of the provisions concerning producer organisations, operational funds and operational programmes in the sector since the 2007 reform.

The 2007 reform aimed to strengthen the role of fruit and vegetable producer organisations by providing a wider range of tools to enable them to prevent and manage market crises. Incentives were granted to encourage mergers between producer organisations, associations of producer organisations and transnational cooperation.

The report points out that there is a small or no organisation in the fruit and vegetables sector, particularly in some southern member states and some member states that joined the EU after 2004. This rules out benefits of specific aid foreseen for the sector and it also weakens the bargaining power of the producers within the supply chain. Further more the very limited use of crisis prevention and management instruments indicates that they need to be improved.

In the light of the discussions on the report in the Council, the Commission will continue to reflect on how best to adjust the existing legal framework in order to improve conditions in the fruit and vegetables sector.

The debate in the Council will be organised on the base of a questionnaire, prepared by the Presidency. The questionnaire focuses on the solutions and the necessary measures for:

 a better encouragement of the degree of organisation in the sector throughout the EU,

 the reduction of the imbalance of organisation between Member States,

 the improvement of the current tools in order to meet the challenges for the competitiveness of EU producers

 the better allocation of financial resources

 the possible further improvement of the use of crisis prevention and management instruments

The Greek Presidency aims to approach useful conclusions that can be taken into consideration from the Commission, when submitting its legal proposal.

Regarding the Milk quota system, following the discussion at the last Agriculture Council in March on the "soft landing" measures with a view to the abolition of the quota system, the Austrian delegation asks for clarifications on the payment of the super levy when quotas are exceeded after March 2015, when the EU milk quota will be abolished.

The Cyprus delegation will brief the ministers about the consequences for the agriculture of the drought which affected Cyprus during the two last winters. The drought, combined with the country's ongoing financial and economic difficulties and the low financial envelope for rural development risks putting many farms in a difficult situation. The Cyprus delegation asks the Commission to propose suitable measures, including the utilization of the reserve fund for crises in the agricultural sector.

The ministers will also be briefed by the Latvian delegation, on the consequences on the areas sown with winter crops due to the long and warm autumn followed by a black frost from January to March. Latvia requests the Commission to take emergency measures to solve specific problems.

Finally, the Agriculture Minister of Romania will inform the Council about the results of a Conference on family farming which took place in Bucharest last week.

For more info about this Council, click here.

Agriculture & Fisheries (AGRI)

Inter-institutional Task Force on Multiannual Plans for fisheries management reaches conclusion

ekampaki — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 15:29:56 +0000

The Task Force mandated by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission to discuss a practical way forward for the development of Multi-annual fisheries Management Plans under the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), has concluded its work under the Greek Presidency. Today it agreed on a report, which contains recommendations on the core elements that should appear in Multiannual Plans, depending on the level of complexity of the fisheries concerned.

The Multi-annual Management Plans are key tools for the management of fisheries resources under the reformed CFP aiming at fishing sustainability.

The conclusion of the Task Force’s work is a success for the Greek Presidency, since the issue was one of its priorities for the fisheries sector.

In particular, for Mediterranean, where fishing is multi-species, the implementation of Multi-annual Management Plans will support the recovery of fishing stocks. Therefore, the achievement of Maximum Sustainable Yield, the main objective of the reformed CFP, will be reached and fishing activity will become more profitable.

The report will be discussed at a future meeting of the Council and European Parliament.

On the occasion of this agreement, the President of the AgriFish Council, Athanasios Tsaftaris, made the following statement:

“The finalisation of multi-annual management plans is another success of the Greek Presidency under the reformed CFP. Multi-annual Management Plans, as a key fisheries management tool, will support the stocks to recover and fishing activity to become more sustainable and profitable”.

Agriculture & Fisheries (AGRI)

Important agreement creates multiple benefits for producers and the EU’s exports

ekampaki — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 11:32:33 +0000

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A tentative agreement on the draft Regulation on information and promotion measures for agricultural products on the internal market and in third country markets, was reached yesterday, under the Greek Presidency, between the Council, headed by the Minister for Rural Development and Food, Athanassios Tsaftaris, in his capacity as chairman of the Council of EU Ministers for Agriculture, the European Parliament and the European Commission.

The agreement was reached at in a trilogue that took place in Brussels, a few days after the political agreement in the AGRIFISH Council on 24 March.

The new regulation will have multiple benefits for the beneficiaries and in terms of the promotion of exports of Member States and the EU in general.

The formal approval of the results of yesterday's trialogue will be made by the three EU institutions, namely the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission, in accordance with their internal procedures, in the next few days.

Upon the conclusion of the triologue, Greek Minister for Rural Development and Food, Athanasios Tsaftaris, as the chairman of the Council of EU Ministers for Agriculture, stated the following:

“The successful finalization of the trilogue yesterday is of great importance for the new European Union policy on the promotion of quality agricultural products within the CAP reform as well as another important success for the Greek Presidency. The political agreement laid the foundation for the immediate adoption of this regulation and its application significantly earlier than originally planned by the Commission. The adoption of the regulation will take place immediately after the endorsement of the compromise proposal of the three EU institutions according to the co-decision procedures.

It is worth mentioning that the adoption of this regulation was a major priority for the Greek presidency in the agri-fish sector since it provides multiple benefits compared to the existing regime, amongst others, the significant increase in both the total budget allocated to the promotion programmes and the EU financial contribution. This dossier beyond the importance attached to by the Greek presidency, had been also a priority by our co-legislator, the European Parliament as well as by the European Commission and the coordinated and huge efforts from the three sides contributed to the current agreement in record time.

I would like also to point out that the new regulation has many and great advantages for the European Union agriculture. It highlights the diversity, the quality, the traceability, the identity and the strict production standards that characterize the European agricultural products. The Union in general is one of the biggest exporters of quality products and the adoption of this regulation supports its strategic advantage for the production of quality products that are based to the diversity of its production systems, the soil and weather conditions and the long tradition.

Finally, on behalf of the Council I would like to thank the European Parliament, the European Commission and personally the President of the COM-AGRI of the Parliament, Paolo De Castro and the Commissioner for agriculture, Dacian Ciolos, and their colleagues for the efforts deployed and their constructive cooperation to achieve this important agreement for the promotion of European agricultural products. I would like also to thank all my colleagues and their delegates, the council secretariat and all other involved bodies. Last but not least, I would like to mention my collaborators in the Ministry and the Greek Permanent Representation to the EU, who handled this matter successfully.”

Read below the Council's press release

Agriculture & Fisheries (AGRI)

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