Conclusies Raad: tariefquota visserij; vogelgriep; financiën tot 2013; melksector (en)

Fisheries

Proposal for Council Regulation opening and providing for the management of autonomous Community tariff quotas for certain fisheries products for the period 2004-2006

The Council adopted a new multi-annual tariff quotas regime for certain fisheries products for the period 2004-2006. This new regulation ensures the continuation of supplies to the EU processing industry following the expiration of the regime in place from 2001 to end 2003. As the supply needs for fisheries products of the EU processing industry can only be partially met by the EU internal production, the industries have to rely on a stable provision of imported quantities at competitive prices in order to maintain and improve its competitiveness on the EU and world markets. The adopted regime addresses the main supply problems of the user industries by ensuring the status quo for most products covered by the previous regime and introducing a limited number of new quotas to satisfy specific supply needs.

Food safety

Protection of animals during transport

The Presidency presented a state of play of the discussions on the Commission proposal on animal welfare I transport. Journey times, the number of journey sequences, travelling conditions and the loading and unloadion of animals still remain in discussion.

M. Byrne re-state the Commission's hope for an agreement on the proposal in April, after the opinion of the European Parliament on the proposal in the course of March. He said: "I understand that work on the technical elements of the proposal is progressing well with good co-operation between the Presidency, the Commission and the experts from the Member States. I hope that the political debate on travelling sequences, an issue which has elicited divergent views in the past, can find a science-based solution related to the physiological needs of animals and taking into account the progress already made".

Avian influenza

M. Byrne updated Ministers on the avian influenza situation in Asia. "As of today, the disease has taken 22 human lives in Vietnam and Thailand, but a new virus fully transmissible to humans and capable of spreading from human-to-human has not yet emerged. In its sanitary, social and economic dimensions, and not forgetting the animal welfare aspects, this outbreak of avian influenza is unprecedented.

Although there is at present no indication of a developing human pandemic, this risk cannot yet be excluded, according to the WHO".

"The Commission immediately took safeguard measures to ensure adequate protection against possible disease introduction into the EU via imports of live birds and poultry products from the concerned countries to protect both animal and public health. Contingency plans are in place in the Member States (drawn up in accordance with Community legislation and approved by the Commission) to enable the competent authorities to react promptly and decisively should an outbreak of Avian Influenza occur in EU territory.

We will continue to monitor the situation carefully via our delegations, as well as through governmental and non-governmental information sources. The Commission will continue to follow the issue closely; to support affected countries in collaboration and co-ordination with the relevant international organisations and the Member States; and I will not hesitate to adjust Community measures in proportion to the risks posed by the evolving disease situation".

M. Byrne also informed the Council of the AI outbreak in Texas, USA, and his intention to ban all eggs and poultry imports from the USA for a month. For details, see IP/04/257.

Agriculture

Financial perspectives 2007-2013

Mr. Fischler presented the Commission proposal on the financing for an EU of 27 members from 2007-2013. The amounts allocated to agriculture fully respect the agreement of the Heads of States of 2002, take account of enlargement to two additional new Member States with a large agricultural sector and provide for the necessary additional amounts, reflect our goal to support the sustainable development of rural communities, with a particular effort for the new Member States", the Commissioner claimed.

"To build a credible political project the necessary financial resources to implement it must be provided. The Commission proposes payments of 1.14% of Gross National Income (GNI) for an enlarged EU of 27. In other words, the Commission opted for a rigorous approach. A budgetary limit of 1%, as defended by certain member states, would lead to drastic cuts from 2007", he continued.

Agriculture and rural development are proposed to be financed under the Heading 2 "Sustainable management and protection of natural resources" together with fisheries and environment. A significant part of the evolution of agricultural expenditure mainly related to market support and direct payments has already been agreed by the European Council at the Summit of October 2002. Accommodating two additional new Member States with a large agricultural sector will increase the expenditure requirements on the basis of the acquis.

"Looking at the share of agricultural expenditure for EU-25, it represents in 2006, 45% of the total commitments of the EU budget. In 2013 this percentage, including Bulgaria and Romania, will have decreased to 35% This reflects the shift in the budgetary resources towards new policies", Mr Fischler stressed.

The Commission further proposes a Single Rural Development Fund, encompassing the funds of the EAGGF Guarantee section for rural development and those of the EAGGF Guidance section. "Moving to one programming and funding instrument for the next period, would allow for a reduced number of programmes to administer and a more coherent programming", Mr. Fischler maintained.

The funding of the Common Fisheries Policy would be greatly simplified by a single funding instrument. In order to increase transparency and simplify management it is proposed to group all Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) expenditure, currently spread over 4 budget headings, in a single fisheries fund. This fund would cover all non structural measures (monitoring, control, enforcement, data collection, reinforcement of scientific advice, improvement of governance, including the international cooperation component of the CFP) and restructuring needs following the reform.

Wine labelling

The Italian and Portuguese delegation expressed concerns about the recent decision to modify the rules for wine labelling. The amendments are introduced to enhance the conformity of the text with the EU's international commitments. The modifications mainly concern the traditional expressions policy and the rules applicable to third countries in order to be able for them to use wine descriptors.

On traditional expressions, the policy has been simplified. The conditions applicable to third countries have been clarified and have been made more flexible in order to be equivalent to those applying to Member States. "I fully appreciate the sensitivity of this issue for our producer countries. The equivalence of the conditions and their examination by the Commission and the Member States in order to judge the acceptance of the requests of third countries, are guarantees against any abusive use or usurpation.", Mr. Fischler said.

Action plan on organic farming

Commissioner Fischler highlighted the main points mentioned in last month's hearing on organic farming. "Proper labeling has to be a crucial part of the marketing strategy. Attention was drawn during the hearing to the added value offered by the EU logo especially for new consumers and in the facilitation of the internal market and trade for organic produce. In the hearing it was made clear that the EU logo offers some added value, but shall not replace existing logos. The most important EU instrument to boost organic farming is our Rural Development policy, a policy that is implemented by the Member States. We believe that the 2003 CAP reform creates a very good opportunity for further development of the sector, it is now up to member states to use these measures to the full", Mr. Fischler underlined.

On GMOs, the hearing underlined by the experts that a zero-level admixture would be impossible to achieve. "What is clear to me is that operators need to be properly informed. Thus, it would be advisable for seed producers that they indicate the actual amount of GMOs present in seed lots even if it is below the labelling thresholds", he said.

The Commission is now reflecting on how to make use of the input collected during the consultation process in order to present the action plan as soon as possible.

Market situation in the milk sector

The French delegation raised the problem of low prices in the milk sector. On the 1st July 2004 the agreed institutional price reductions for butter and powder will be implemented. Producers will be compensated for reductions by means of direct payments at the end of 2004. Commissioner Fischler explained that EU intervention for butter was open, and over the first two months in 2004 offers were considerably lower than in the same period last year. "The Commission is doing its utmost to manage the markets. Before jumping to conclusions, we shall undertake a thorough analysis", he said.

Market situation in the cereal sector

The Spanish delegation expressed worries about the high prices. The 2003/2004 marketing year for cereals in the EU has been characterised by very low production due to the severe drought. "I would like to stress that high market prices are not only a problem for Southern EU countries. We have a single market and feed grain prices are high all over the EU. The Commission has used all reasonable market management tools in order to address the situation. In particular, the Commission removed any active incentive to export, opened all intervention stocks for sale in the internal market and opened the 2004 sorghum import tender. In order to counter declining EU and world stocks, I proposed, and the Council approved, a reduction of the set-aside rate from 10 to 5 % for the 2004 harvest. The Commission was asked to open a special rye tender to Southern countries or to pay transport subsidies for rye. Such measures would be unjustified and would produce more problems than they would solve. The maize imports to Spain from the US are taking place anyway, so there is no need for special, lower duties." Mr. Fischler underlined.

German co-existence law

The German delegation presented its draft national legislation to guarantee co-existence between GM and non GM crops. Mr. Fischler welcomed the law, which is designed to give farmers a real choice, which clarifies liability questions and foresees concrete management measures. Mr. Fischler asked member states to notify their measures as soon as possible.

Natural disaster in Greece

The Greek delegation raised the adverse weather conditions in Greece with all its negative effects on the farm sector. "The EU will show solidarity to overcome the problems rural areas are confronted with and to rebuild the production potential lost. However any contribution from the EU rural development budget should be designated within the total financial allocation attributed for structural funds intervention to Greece." The Commission invited the Greek authorities to submit a request for a redefinition of the programming priorities. Commissioner Fischler also made clear that EU contribution had to be limited to the reconstitution of production potential. If additional aid is necessary to compensate income losses, national aid schemes have to be notified to the Commission for approval.

Implementation of CAP reform

Mr. Fischler laid out the principles of the practical implementation of the CAP reform. "Member states have the possibility - in justified cases and according to objective criteria - to deviate from the historical single farm payment. Therefore, the implementing regulation will stipulate that an impact analysis has to be provided by member states", the Commissioner concluded.