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Europaudvalget 2011-12
Rådsmøde 3161 - landbrug og fiskeri
Offentligt

COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

9106/12

PRESSE 165

PR CO 23

PRESS RELEASE

3161st Council meeting

Agriculture and Fisheries

Luxembourg, 26 and 27 April 2012

President

Ms Mette GJERSKOV

Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark

PRESS

Rue de la Loi 175 B – 1048 BRUSSELS Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 8352 / 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026

[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/Newsroom

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26.-27.IV.2012

Main results of the Council

Concerning agriculture, ministers had a public debate on the

regulation on direct payments

within

the framework of the common agricultural policy (CAP reform). The specific issues discussed were:

the special support schemes for young farmers, small farmers and farmers in areas with natural

constraints, voluntary coupled support internal redistribution of direct payments, the 'active

farmer" and capping of support to large farms.

As regards Fisheries, the ministers held a public debate on

regionalisation

and

transferable

fishing concessions

within the framework of the Common fisheries policy (CFP) reform.

Finally, the Council was briefed on the

protection of pigs in the member states,

the

communication on promotion measures for agricultural products, producer organisations in the

fruit and vegetables sector,

the

market in milk and dairy products

and on the

transparency of

information on food safety.

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26.-27.IV.2012

CONTENTS

PARTICIPANTS................................................................................................................................ 5

ITEMS DEBATED

AGRICULTURE ................................................................................................................................. 7

CAP reform - Direct payments ............................................................................................................ 7

FISHERIES.......................................................................................................................................... 9

Reform of the common fisheries policy............................................................................................... 9

Regionalisation .................................................................................................................................... 9

Transferable fishing concessions (TFCs)........................................................................................... 10

OTHER BUSINESS .......................................................................................................................... 11

Animal welfare - protection of pigs ................................................................................................... 11

Promotion measures for agricultural products ................................................................................... 11

Producer organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector.................................................................. 12

Market in milk and dairy products..................................................................................................... 13

Transparency of information in food safety....................................................................................... 13

Insecticide toxicity on honeybee health ............................................................................................. 14

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

AGRICULTURE

–

Imports of high-quality beef from the USA and Canada....................................................................................... 15

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

–

Derogation from the VAT directive for Romania - Road vehicles........................................................................ 15

Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated

in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks.

Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's Internet site

(http://www.consilium.europa.eu).

Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by

an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's Internet site or may be obtained from the Press

Office.

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JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

–

Right to information in criminal proceedings........................................................................................................ 16

EMPLOYMENT

–

Employment guidelines ......................................................................................................................................... 16

TRANSPORT

–

Colour specifications for certain road transport documents .................................................................................. 17

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PARTICIPANTS

Belgium:

Ms Sabine LARUELLE

Mr Olivier BELLE

Bulgaria:

Mr Tzvetan DIMITROV

Czech Republic:

Mr Petr BENDL

Mr Martin HLAVÁČEK

Denmark:

Ms Mette GJERSKOV

Mr Anders MIKKELSEN

Ms Hanne LAUGER

Germany:

Ms Ilse AIGNER

Mr Robert KLOOS

Estonia:

Mr Helir-Valdor SEEDER

Ireland:

Mr Simon COVENEY

Greece:

Ms Georgia BAZOTI-MITSONI

Mr Andreas PAPASTAVROU

Spain:

Mr Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE

France:

Mr Philippe LEGLISE-COSTA

Mr Stéphane LE MOING

Italy

Mr Mario CATANIA

Cyprus:

Mr Sofoclis ALETRARIS

Latvia:

Ms Laimdota STRAUJUMA

Lithuania:

Mr Mindaugas KUKLIERIUS

Luxembourg:

Mr Romain SCHNEIDER

Ms Michèle EISENBARTH

Hungary:

Mr György CZERVÁN

Mr Olivér VÁRHELYI

Malta:

Mr George PULLICINO

Netherlands:

Mr Henk BLEKER

Minister for the Middle Classes, SMEs, the Self-

Employed and Agriculture

Deputy Permanent Representative

Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Food

Minister for Agriculture

Deputy Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

Deputy State Secretary, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and

Fisheries

Head of Office, Ministry for Food, Agriculture and

Fisheries

Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Consumer

Protection

State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and

Consumer Protection

Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Secretary General for Food and Agriculture

Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Environment

Deputy Permanent Representative

Head of International Relations, Ministry of Agriculture

Minister for Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policy

Minister for Agriculture, Natural Resources and

Environment

Minister for Agriculture

Deputy Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural

Development

Deputy Permanent Representative

State Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development

Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Resources and Rural Affairs

Minister for Agriculture and Foreign Trade

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26.-27.IV.2012

Austria:

Mr Nikolaus BERLAKOVICH

Mr Harald GÜNTHER

Poland:

Mr Marek SAWICKI

Mr Andrzej BUTRA

Portugal:

Ms Assunção CRISTAS

Mr José DIOGO ALBUQUERQUE

Romania:

Mr Barna TANCZOS

Slovenia:

Mr Branko RAVNIK

Mr Uroš VAJGL

Slovakia:

Ms Magdalena LACKO-BARTOŠOVÁ

Finland:

Mr Jari KOSKINEN

Sweden:

Mr Eskil ERLANDSSON

United Kingdom:

Mr Jim PAICE

Mr Richard BENYON

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, the

Environment and Water Management

Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development

Under-Secretary of state, Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development

Minister for Agriculture, Maritime Affairs, the

Environment and Regional Planning

State Secretary for Agriculture

State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural

Development

State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and the

Environment

Deputy Permanent Representative

State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural

Development

Minister for Agriculture and Forestry

Minister for Rural Affairs

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, (Natural

Environment and Fisheries)

Commission:

Mr Dacian CIOLOŞ

Ms Maria DAMANAKI

Mr John DALLI

Member

The government of the acceding state was represented as follows:

Croatia:

Ms Snježana ŠPANJOL

Deputy Minister for Agriculture

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ITEMS DEBATED

AGRICULTURE

CAP reform - Direct payments

Ministers held a public debate on direct payments within the framework of the common agricultural

policy (CAP) reform.

The first part of the debate focused on special measures proposed to support particular categories of

farmers: young farmers, small farmers and farmers in areas with natural constraints.

With regard to scheme for young farmers, member states broadly agreed on the need to increase the

support to this category of farmers, as currently only 6 % of all farmers across the EU were under

the age of 35, raising concerns for the future of farming. Most delegations however preferred a

voluntary scheme, with the possibility to set additional conditions at national level. Several

delegations suggested a better articulation between first and second pillar criteria for young farmers.

Although delegations agreed in general on the proposal for measures relating to small farmers

scheme as a genuine simplification, a majority of member states nevertheless preferred the scheme

to be voluntary. A number of member states would not like small farmers to be completely

exempted from cross compliance and greening requirements.

For farmers in areas with natural constraints, member states could accept the possibility of

increased support, but wanted to look into how it would fit in with a similar programme under the

rural development provisions. The delegations agreed with the Commission that this type of

measure should stay voluntary.

As regards voluntary coupled support, several member states highlighted the importance of this

support for specific farming sectors or regions as a response to economic, social and environmental

difficulties. Some delegations regretted that this proposal went against past trend of CAP reform, to

decouple support, while some others wanted the list of coupled sectors to be extended. The

diverging views expressed by ministers led the Presidency to conclude that the Commission

proposal seemed to strike a balance.

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The second roundtable was organised on the definition of

active farmer,

the capping of direct

payments to large farms and the internal redistribution of direct payments.

With regard to the 'active farmer' concept, there was broad support for the Presidency's suggestion

to avoid undue administrative burdens, by not requiring member states to control the proportion of

direct payments in the farmer's total income and to allow member states a greater margin of

discretion. Many delegations were prepared to examine a Commission suggestion to establish an

additional "negative list" of certain landowners who would be excluded unless they could prove that

they were engaged in agricultural production.

The capping of the direct payments received by the largest farms in the EU is one of the issues in

the current negotiations on the multiannual financial framework for 2014-2020. In respect of the

technical aspects of capping, several delegations called for a simpler approach to calculation, while

some member states remained opposed to the principle.

On internal redistribution, the Commission proposed that member states achieve a uniform level of

direct payments at regional or national level by 2019. A considerable number of ministers had

concerns about the impact of this proposal and underlined the need to proceed carefully. The need

for greater flexibility and appropriate transitional periods was also highlighted. The presidency

conclusions from March 2011 (7921/11) already identified the need for flexibility at

national/regional level, with appropriate transitional periods to avoid disruptive financial

consequences.

The CAP reform package was presented by the Commission at the Agriculture Council meeting in

October 2011. The Council had already held policy debates on the CAP reform relating to the

proposals for regulations on direct payments, rural development and on the single common market

organisation during the three last Agriculture Council meetings in November and December last

year and January this year. In March this year ministers debated the simplification of the CAP.

The Presidency intends to organise further policy debates on thematic issues such as the greening of

the CAP in May and the rural development policy in June.

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FISHERIES

Reform of the common fisheries policy

The Council held a public debate in the framework of the common fisheries policy (CFP) reform.

The discussion focused on regionalisation and transferable fishing concessions TFCs, two specific

issues raised in the proposal for a regulation on the CFP covering the basic provisions of the CFP

(12514/11).

Regionalisation

A large majority of member states welcomed regionalisation as a flexible approach to adapt to the

diversity of regions and countries in the EU. They considered the approach appropriate to tackle in

particular multiannual plans but also technical measures. However questions subsisted on the best

way to balance the empowerment of member states within the regionalisation and a model where

the final decisions remain within a EU framework. Most of member states would like the last word

to remain at the EU level in order to ensure a level playing field.

Delegations agreed that the work of the advisory councils (ACs) would be an important element of

consultation feeding into the preparation of regional positions, as well as relevant legal acts. Many

delegations considered that their advisory role should be reinforced. While strengthening the

regional approach there is a need to consider if the structure of the ACs should be revised, including

the balance between the fishing sector, including representatives of employed fishermen and other

interest groups such as environmental organisations and consumers.

Several member states supported a joint declaration of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,

Ireland and the United Kingdom (8965/12) elaborating a proposal for the process of decision within

the framework of regionalisation. Details of fisheries management would be discussed with

stakeholders; ACs would play a key role in the discussion alongside the member states, in particular

in the establishment of multi-annual plans. In case of unanimous agreement among member states

the Commission would use implementing acts to adopt the measures but in case of disagreement,

measures would be proposed by the Commission for decision by the Council or by the Council and

the European Parliament as appropriate.

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Transferable fishing concessions (TFCs)

Views differed concerning the opportunity to introduce mandatory TFCs in the EU. Most

delegations considered that such a scheme should only be established on a voluntary basis to allow

an adaptation to the situation of each country. Many member states mentioned the threat TFCs

could impose on coastal communities and small scale fisheries. Some delegations feared that TFCs

could trigger an excessive ownership concentration of fishing rights and would prefer TFCs not

being exchangeable between member states in order to avoid jeopardising the relative stability

system.

The efficiency of TFCs in reducing the fishing fleet overcapacity was questioned by many

delegations. Some delegations thought that the European maritime and fisheries fund (EMFF)

should continue to tackle overcapacity.

The Commission proposal on the basic provisions of the CFP considers that conservation of marine

biological resources is key to achieving the objectives of the CFP; it envisages the reinforcement of

multi-annual management plans to manage resources at levels that are capable of producing

maximum sustainable yield (MSY), and the ending of the practice of discards. To regulate access to

resources better it also introduces a system of transferable fishing concessions, which could

constitute a major driver for fleet capacity adjustment. It points out that reliable and full data, both

for scientific advice and for implementation and control purposes, is central to well-functioning

fisheries management. The proposal establishes that CFP should support the development of the

aquaculture industry through strategic planning, alongside the new focus on aquaculture contained

in the proposal on a European maritime and fisheries fund.

In addition to the orientation debates on regionalisation and the TFCs, ministers debated during

their lunch on socio-economic aspects of the CFP reform, in particular the EU priorities among the

proposed objectives and associated measures (small-scale fisheries, the creation of jobs and social

cohesion in coastal and inland communities) and the necessary measures and financial support

needed.

In July 2011, the Council held an initial public exchange of views on Commission proposals for the

reform of the CFP.

Concerning the CFP reform, the Council already held policy debates during the March Council on

the three main proposals for regulations in the CFP reform "package": basic provisions of the CFP,

common organisation (CMO) of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products and the EMFF.

In the Council meeting in March, an orientation debate on the proposal for a regulation on the CFP

was focused on the issue of a discard ban.

A further orientation debate is planned on MSY and integration of environmental requirements, as

well as the issue of the EMFF during the May Council.

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OTHER BUSINESS

Animal welfare - protection of pigs

The Commission briefed the Council on the deadline for the new animal welfare requirements

foreseen in directive 2008/120 laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs

(8661/12).

Several member states together with the Commission pointed out the need to comply with the

deadline for implementing new mandatory requirements concerning pregnant sows. They

considered that there was a strong demand from consumers on this issue and that everything should

be done to avoid any distortion of competition between member states on 1 January 2013.

New housing requirements were introduced by directive 2001/88 amending directive 91/630. They

include, among others, the requirements for mandatory group housing for sows, permanent access

to materials for rooting for sows and gilts, and new minimum requirement for flooring surfaces. The

Commission focused on the requirement of group housing of sows. This requirement should be

implemented by member states as from 1st January 2013.

Promotion measures for agricultural products

Ministers were briefed by the Commission on a communication on promotion measures and

information provision for agricultural products: a reinforced value-added European strategy for

promoting the tastes of Europe (8441/12).

In July 2011, the Council had held a public exchange of views concerning the green paper entitled

"promotion measures and information provisions for agricultural products: a reinforced value-added

European strategy for promoting the tastes of Europe". The consultation on the promotion of

agricultural products was welcomed by member states as a necessary measure to inform EU citizens

and foreign countries about the high standards and quality of EU products. However, several

delegations stressed the need for a simpler and quicker procedure to activate the system, in

particular in case of crisis. The consultation launched by the Commission on this issue ended on

7 October 2011.

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On 15 and 16 December 2011, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council adopted conclusions on the

future of the agricultural promotion policy (18528/11), which encouraged the Commission to

explore all possible ways of achieving the objectives of the reform of EU information and

promotion policy.

The Commission pointed out the need to improve the EU promotion system for agricultural

products in order to meet the challenges: promote the quality of EU products in foreign countries,

make the policy more attractive, simplify access to the schemes and strengthen the consistency of

actions.

This communication should be followed by a legislative proposal to be published at the end of the

year.

Producer organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector

The Council was briefed by the Hungarian delegation, supported by the Bulgarian, Latvian,

Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian, Slovenian and Slovak delegations, on the financing of producer

organisations in the fruit and vegetables sector (8828/12).

The reform of the fruit and vegetables sector in 2007 reaffirmed the important objective of

continuing to strengthen producer organisations (POs). Supporting POs had proved particularly

important from 2007 to 2013 in member states with a low level of concentration of producers.

A Commission regulation had been adopted beginning of April 2012 decreasing the EU co-

financing rate of PO support. In Hungary's view, this jeopardised one of the main objectives of

reform of the fruit and vegetable common market organisation. Furthermore, it was not in line with

the proposals for the CAP reform, which planned an increase in financial support to POs.

As the Commission saw it, setting a financial limit for this support has been necessitated by the

strong increase in expenses for supporting POs observed from 2007 to date. The limit will not apply

to plans for POs already adopted but only to future plans proposed.

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Market in milk and dairy products

The Polish delegation briefed the ministers on the consequences of the current situation for the

market in milk and dairy products (9056/12).

Several member states supported the Polish request to the Commission for market measures to

respond to the decreasing prices in the milk and dairy market.

Since the beginning of 2012, a drop in the demand for dairy products on world markets has led to a

significant decrease in market prices for these products between January 2012 and April 2012 in

Poland. Domestic demand for dairy products has been unable to absorb the developing surpluses,

which means that stocks of dairy products in Poland are growing.

Poland considered that the current intervention price was too low for changing production

conditions, which could impede the efficiency of intervention. Poland asked the Commission to

adopt measures as soon as possible such as reintroducing export refunds and, in the longer term, to

increase intervention prices for butter and skimmed milk powder.

The Commission was closely following the evolution of the milk market and was aware of the

current situation. It declared itself ready to activate appropriate measures when it considered that

there was a need, which was not the case now.

Transparency of information in food safety

The Czech Republic briefed the Council on access to transparent information among member states

as regards food safety (9066/12).

The Czech delegation highlighted the importance of information exchange between member states

and the EU through the rapid alert system for food and feed (RASFF) on the occasion of recent food

crises such as the use in food of industrial salt and adulterated egg powder. Poland explained that

the RASFF had not been activated for the use of industrial salts in food because this fraud was not

assessed as a food safety issue. As regards adulterated egg powder, the RASFF had been properly

activated. The Commission reminded delegations that they did have the option of requesting

administrative support in the event of a disagreement between member states on such an issue.

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Insecticide toxicity on honeybee health

Ministers were briefed by the French delegation about the toxicity of the active substance

thiamethoxame on honey bees (9191/12)

An article published in March in the scientific newspaper Science detailed the possible sub-lethal

effects of the active substance thiamethoxame on bees (Apis

mellifera).

This substance is an

insecticide included in various plant protection products authorised and used in several member

states for the treatment of rape seeds or maize.

The French delegation wanted the new data to be taken into account in the EU assessment for

pesticide substances and the behaviour of non-target species, in particular for bees, to be evaluated

in the assessment process.

The Commission recalled the creation of a European reference laboratory dedicated to honeybees,

and its request to collect more data from the member states on beehive losses. An assessment had

been requested from the EFSA of the effects of certain types of insecticides on the basis of new

studies.

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

AGRICULTURE

Imports of high-quality beef from the USA and Canada

The Council adopted regulation 617/2009 opening an autonomous tariff quota for imports of high-

quality beef following a first reading agreement with the European Parliament (6/12). This text will

finally bring to an end the long-lasting trade dispute between the EU, the USA and Canada on the

use of "hormones" in beef within the framework of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). By this

regulation, the EU has opened an additional autonomous tariff rate quota for high-quality beef that

is not treated with hormones. At the same time, the USA has withdrawn sanctions on EU products.

For further details, see

9178/12.

ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS

Derogation from the VAT directive for Romania - Road vehicles

The Council adopted a decision authorising Romania to introduce a measure derogating from

directive 2006/112/EC on value-added tax (VAT) for the non-business use of road vehicles

(7956/12).

The measure involves a 50% deduction of VAT, under certain conditions, for the purchase,

acquisition, importation, hire or leasing of vehicles with a laden mass of maximum 3 500 kg and no

more than nine seats, and where the vehicle is not used exclusively for business purposes.

The Council's decision will expire upon entry into force of EU rules on expenditure relating to road

vehicles that is not eligible for the full deduction of VAT, or on 31 December 2014, whichever is

earlier.

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JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

Right to information in criminal proceedings

The Council adopted a directive on the right to information in criminal proceedings (PE-CONS

78/11).

On 13 December 2011 the European Parliament had already given its green light to the

compromise text reached between both institutions.

The main goal of the directive is to ensure that any person who is suspected or accused of having

committed a criminal offence is provided with information concerning his or her fundamental

procedural rights, as well as information on the accusation against him or her - including access to

the materials of a case.

For more details see press release

9111/12.

EMPLOYMENT

Employment guidelines

The Council adopted a decision approving the guidelines for the employment policies of the

member states for 2012 (7946/12).

The employment guidelines were adopted in 2010

in principle for a duration of four years. The

guidelines for 2012 will be maintained unchanged and must be taken into account by the member

states in their employment policies.

Council decision 2010/707/UE of 21 October 2010 on guidelines for the employment

policies of the member states (OJ

L 308, 24.11.2010, p. 46).

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TRANSPORT

Colour specifications for certain road transport documents

The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission of three amending regulations

specifying more precisely the colours of certain official documents required for the access to the

occupation of road transport operator (6882/12), to the international road haulage market (6883/12)

and to the international market for coach bus services (6890/12).

The documents concerned are the model certificate of professional competence under regulation

1071/2009, the Community licence model for the international carriage of goods by road under

regulation 1072/2009 as well as the driver attestation model linked to that licence, and the

Community licence model for the international carriage of passengers by coach and bus under

regulation 1073/2009.

The draft regulations are subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny; now that the Council has

given its consent, the Commission may adopt them, unless the European Parliament objects.

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