Press Release: Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Brussels, 13-14 May 2013

Main results of the Council:

As regards agriculture, ministers were briefed on the state of play of the trilogues on the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and debated more specifically the subjects of the active farmer requirements, the young farmers’ scheme and the small farmers’ scheme.

In addition, a qualified majority in favour of a decision on the EU position in the framework of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) could not be reached.

Concerning fisheries issues, the Council held a debate on the outcome of the trilogues on the reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP). Ministers agreed on adjustments of the negotiating mandate to the Presidency to finalise the discussions with the other EU institutions on the basic regulation of the CFP. These adjustments concerns maximum sustainable yield (MSY), landing obligation, regionalisation, multiannual plans and capacity management. The Presidency also informed the Council about a provisional agreement with the European Parliament reached at the end of the third trilogue on the market regulation of the CFP.

Finally, the ministers were briefed on the consequences for agriculture of the proposal on tobacco products, the North East Atlantic mackerel stock, and a global summit on oceans.

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Organic Farming: Application of the regulatory framework and development of the sector http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-organic-farming-application-of-the-regulatory-framework-and-development-of-the-sector/

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