21-22 April Agriculture Council

Date: 24/04/1997

DURING talks on the price proposals, ministers again expressed their opposition to the proposed arable aid cuts. French Minister Philippe Vasseur said “such a decision would unbalance the 1992 reform of the CAP”, while Germany's Jochen Borchert claimed permanent payments had been agreed in 1991 and cutting aids would shatter farmers' confidence.

SEVERAL countries demanded an early decision on next season's rate of set-aside. Vasseur, who was supported by the UK among others, called for a zero rate and said if it had been set at zero rather than 5&percent; for the 1997 harvest, no one would be talking about possible wheat export taxes. Vasseur also proposed the abolition of penalty set-aside. Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler said the Commission would “wait until it had a reasonable assessment of the situation” before coming forward with a proposal.

DISCUSSING the Commission's report on the veal market, most countries agreed that it was too early to draw firm conclusions on the early-marketing scheme, especially after the changes made at the beginning of April. The UK called for a 50&percent; reduction in the premium for the calf-processing scheme because of the disproportionate way in which the UK herd was restructuring in relation to the rest of the EU.

ON OLIVE oil, all the producer countries rejected a move towards paying aid per tree. The Commission's report will be re-examined at the May Council after the special committee for agriculture has reassessed the proposed tree numbers.

MINISTERS formally adopted the text on compulsory cattle identification and beef labelling rules, with Italy and Portugal making separate statements clarifying their interpretations of the 'competent authority' for implementing the rules.

FISCHLER said the EU could not compromise consumer health by making concessions to the US over meat inspection rules. With negotiations on mutual recognition of hygiene standards due to recommence in Washington shortly after the meeting, Fischler said the major outstanding issue was the American method of decontaminating chickens.

SEVERAL ministers expressed support for the German idea of finding a common EU position on plans for an international convention on sustainable forestry.

IRELAND complained about the recent decision to cut beef export refunds again. Fischler said he would consider setting up a private storage aid scheme for the Irish for a limited period. Sweden suggested ending refunds for exports of live animals as a way of reducing the number of animals transported.