Press Release: Agriculture Council, Brussels, 14.12.99

The Council adopted Conclusions regarding the postponement for one year of the introduction of a compulsory beef labelling system and will instead maintain the current voluntary system.

The Council held an in-depth discussion of the export refund system for agricultural products exported in the form of non-Annex 1 goods and adopted Conclusions.

The Council took note of the Commission's proposals to reform the current system of aid for cotton and was informed by the Commission on the possible solutions to the problem of lack of maximum residue limits of veterinary medicinal products in foodstuffs originating from horses and secondary species.

The Council adopted a proposal for a Decision amending Decision 97/534/EC on the prohibition of the use of material presenting risks as regards transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.

The Council reached a political Agreement by qualified majority on a Directive on the marketing of forest reproductive material.

The Council adopted Conclusions on 'further action in the framework of the strategy against antimicrobial resistance