PR

9930/01 (Presse 241)

PRESS RELEASE

Subject :

2360th Council meeting

- AGRICULTURE -

Luxembourg, 19 June 2001

President :
Ms Margareta WINBERG

Minister for Agriculture of the Kingdom of Sweden

CONTENTS

PARTICIPANTS *

ITEMS DEBATED

BSE *

ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS *

PROTECTION OF PIGS *

PROTECTION OF ANIMALS DURING TRANSPORT - COUNCIL RESOLUTION * *

CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER *

ANIMAL NUTRITION - OFFICIAL CONTROLS *

UNDESIRABLE SUBSTANCES *

SIMPLIFICATION *

- COMMON RULES FOR DIRECT SUPPORT SCHEMES *

- INFORMATION ON WORK IN PROGRESS ON SIMPLIFICATION *

OLIVE OIL *

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES *

BEEF AND VEAL *

HOPS *

ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING - COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS *

OTHER BUSINESS *

- PESTICIDE RESIDUES *

- BSE TESTS *

- FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE *

- ANIMAL MOVEMENTS *

- CODEX ALIMENTARIUS *

- SUGAR IMPORT ARRANGEMENTS *

ITEMS APPROVED WITHOUT DEBATE
AGRICULTURE

- Sugar sector - Common organisation of the markets * *

- Processed fruit and vegetables - Common organisation of the market *

- Distillation of certain wine sector products * *

- Biodiversity Action Plan for Agriculture - Council Conclusions *

FISHERIES

- Agreement with Comoros *

- Negotiations with ACP on tuna *

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

- Relations with Egypt *

Decisions for which statements for the Council minutes have been made available to the public are indicated by asterisks; the statements in question may be obtained from the Press Office.

_________________

For further information call 285 84 15 or 285 74 59
PARTICIPANTS

The Governments of the Member States and the European Commission were represented as follows:

Belgium :
Mr Jaak GABRIËLS	Minister for Agriculture and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Denmark :
Ms Ritt BJERREGAARD	Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries
Mr Poul OTTOSEN	State Secretary, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries
Germany :
Ms Renate KÜNAST	Federal Minister for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture
Mr Martin WILLE	State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture
Greece :
Mr Georgios ANOMERITIS	Minister for Agriculture
Spain :
Mr Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE	Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
France :
Mr Jean GLAVANY	Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries
Ireland :
Mr Joe WALSH	Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Italy :
Mr Gianni ALEMANNO	Minister for Agricultural Policy
Luxembourg :
Mr Fernand BODEN	Minister for Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural Development
Netherlands :
Mr Laurens-Jan BRINKHORST	Minister for Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries
Austria :
Mr Wilhelm MOLTERER	Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, the Environment and Water Management
Portugal :
Mr Luis CAPOULAS SANTOS	Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries
Finland :
Mr Kalevi HEMILÄ	Minister for Agriculture and Forestry
Sweden :
Ms Margareta WINBERG	Minister for Agriculture
United-Kingdom :
Ms Margaret BECKETT	Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
* * *
Commission :
Mr David BYRNE	Member
Mr Franz FISCHLER	Member

BSE

The Council heard a presentation from Commissioner BYRNE on the current state of play on BSE and held a discussion on the prolongation of the ban on the use of animal protein in feed.

The Council noted that neither a qualified majority in favour or against the Commission proposal( 1) had been obtained, and that it had no intention of returning to this question at a later stage. As a result the Commission is in a position to adopt the Regulation extending the current ban beyond 30 June 2001.

ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS

The Council reached a political agreement by qualified majority (the German and Austrian delegations voting against) on a Regulation laying down health rules concerning animal by-products not intended for human consumption and on a Directive amending Directives 90/9425/EEC and 92/118/EEC regarding health requirements for animal by-products.

This agreement was reached on the basis of a Presidency compromise package which received the backing of the Commission. The compromise package also takes on board the bulk of the amendments adopted by the European Parliament at first reading.

The Council instructed the Permanent Representatives Committee to finalise the text as common positions and to prepare a statement of the Council's reasons with a view to their adoption, without discussion ("A" point), at a future session. The Council will then forward its common positions to the European Parliament for a second reading. The Presidency expressed the hope that final adoption would follow shortly in the light of the proximity of the positions of the three Institutions (Parliament, Council, Commission).

The Regulation will make useful changes to current legislation by tightening up many existing rules, providing better protection for animal and public health. It will also provide more flexibility in some areas to allow the regime to adapt to technical developments and advances in scientific knowledge. These changes do not relate only to animal feed. The Regulation will provide a single legal framework for the disposal and use of all animal by-products not intended for human consumption.

PROTECTION OF PIGS

The Council reached a political agreement by qualified majority (the Spanish delegation voting against and the Portuguese delegation abstaining) on a text which received the backing of the Commission, to amend Directive 91/630/EEC laying down minimum standards for the protection of pigs. The aim of the Directive is, in particular, to:

· ban the use of individual stalls for pregnant sows and gilts and the use of tethers;

· increase the living space available for sows and gilts;

· allow the sows and gilts permanent access to materials for rooting;

· introduce a higher level of training and competence on welfare issues for the stockmen and the personnel in charge of the animals;

· request new scientific advice in relation to certain issues of pig farming.

The Council marked its intention formally to adopt the Directive at a future session of the Council.

PROTECTION OF ANIMALS DURING TRANSPORT - COUNCIL RESOLUTION *

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Whereas:

= Declaration No 24 annexed to the Final Act of the Treaty on European Union calls upon the European institutions and the Member States, when drafting and implementing Community legislation, in particular on the common agricultural policy, to pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals;

= the report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the experience acquired by Member States since the implementation of Council Directive 95/29/EC amending Directive 91/628/EEC concerning the protection of animals during transport has brought deficiencies to light in the application of the provisions laid down by the aforementioned Directive, particularly with regard to compliance with travelling time limits and loading densities and the lack of care for, and brutal mistreatment of, animals, mainly on long journeys;

= the various animal health crises experienced by the Union in recent years (in particular, classical swine fever in the Netherlands (1997/98) and more recently foot-and-mouth disease) have been exacerbated by the large number of movements of live animals both within the Member States affected by the epizootic diseases and between the various Member States;

= use of the staging points established by Council Directive 95/29/EC to allow animals to be transported over long distances may involve a risk of spreading certain contagious diseases (such as foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever in particular);

= the specialisation of livestock farms, the concentration and intensification of animal production in certain regions of the Member States and the rationalisation of slaughterhouses and establishments for processing their products have resulted in a significant increase in animal transport both within the Member States and in trade between Member States,

CONSIDERS THAT:

- the Member States and the Commission should ensure the effective implementation and strict enforcement of existing legislation;

- in the near future, new initiatives should be envisaged to improve the protection and welfare of animals as well as preventing the occurrence and spread of infectious animal diseases;

- for movements which remain essential, in order to safeguard the welfare and health of animals during and after transport, more stringent requirements should be put in place, so as to prevent pain and suffering.

INVITES the Commission to submit to the Council as rapidly as possible:

- suitable proposals for achieving these aims, in the light of the experience built up by Member States in implementing Directive 95/29/EEC,

- an animal health and welfare report on

a) issues arising from the transport of live animals also taking into account the public interest to prevent the spread of infectious animal diseases;

b) economic consequences for the European Union generally or for regions thereof of any changes proposed.

CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER

The Council reached a political agreement by qualified majority (the German and Austrian delegations voting against) on a proposal for a Council Directive on Community measures for the control of classical swine fever. The Directive aims at consolidating and amending the current provisions on the control of classical swine fever in the light of the most recent findings and experience regarding its eradication, and developing new diagnostic tools and vaccines. These new provisions concern in particular:

- the notification of cases of classical swine fever in wild pigs, abattoirs and in transport;

- the establishment of a diagnostic manual;

- the epidemiological tests to be carried out following outbreaks;

- the prevention of the spread of swine fever by sperm, ovum or embryos;

- the re-introduction of pigs to previously infected holdings;

- other detailed measures to be put in place after confirmation of swine fever in populations of wild pigs;

- measures foreseen for the use of new vaccines in urgent cases within the framework of the current non-vaccination policy.

The Council agreed formally to adopt the text at a future session, after its finalisation by the Permanent Representatives Committee.

ANIMAL NUTRITION - OFFICIAL CONTROLS

The Council, in accordance with Article 251(3) of the Treaty, approved unanimously the six amendments adopted by the European Parliament in second reading on modifications to Directive 95/53/CE fixing the principles governing the organisation of official inspections in the field of animal nutrition and Directives 70/524/EEC, 96/25/EC and 1999/29/EC on animal nutrition. The amendments having been approved, the Directive is deemed to have been adopted. In this respect, the Council entered into its minutes a joint statement from the Council and the Commission concerning the definition of undesirable substances and a statement from the Commission concerning on-the-spot checks to verify the application of this Directive by Member States.

As soon as the text of the Directive has been finalised, it will be submitted to the signature by the Presidents of both Institutions and published in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

The Directive aims to improve existing procedures in cases where a product destined for animal feed represents a grave risk to public health.

UNDESIRABLE SUBSTANCES

The Council reached a political agreement by unanimity on the text of a Directive on undesirable substances and products in animal nutrition which aims to improve the security of the food chain. The Directive contains provisions on the total suppression of dilution which should encourage manufacturers to reinforce preventative measures against the contamination of animal feed by undesirable substances. In reaching agreement, Ministers also decided on the length of the transitional period for the implementation of the measures contained in this Directive, fixing it at 18 months.

The Council instructed the Permanent Representatives Committee to proceed without delay to the finalisation of the text, with a view to the formal adoption of a common position, without debate ("A" point), at a future session.

SIMPLIFICATION

- COMMON RULES FOR DIRECT SUPPORT SCHEMES

The Council unanimously adopted a Regulation modifying existing common rules for direct support schemes under the CAP (small farmers' scheme).

The aim of the Regulation is to reduce the administrative burden for farmers and for the national and community administrations, through the voluntary application of a simplified scheme for the payment of certain forms of direct aid to farmers receiving small amounts of such aid (maximum € 1250 per annum). In particular, the new scheme allows for farmers claiming small amounts to file a single consolidated claim. The scheme will apply for a trial period from 2002 to 2005.

In this context the Council took note of a Commission declaration to be entered into the minutes concerning the reduction in the levels of monitoring by the Member States of the statistical population of small producers (3%), and a declaration from Luxembourg on the need to pursue work in the area of simplification with a view to achieving more substantive improvements.

- INFORMATION ON WORK IN PROGRESS ON SIMPLIFICATION

The Council took note of a presentation by Commissioner FISCHLER on the state of play concerning work undertaken on the simplification of the CAP. In this context he announced that at its most recent meeting in June, a Commission ad hoc working group had continued its examination of the Member States' proposals on the simplification process.

During the brief exchange of views which followed this presentation, delegations underlined the importance of continuing work and making visible progress in this area.

OLIVE OIL

The Council reached a unanimous political agreement on a compromise solution presented by the Presidency with the support of the Commission. This compromise, which takes account of certain amendments proposed by the European Parliament, covers the Commission's report on quality strategy and also the amendments to the present support arrangements for olive oil.

The Regulation will extend the prolongation of the current regime until 2003/2004. The Council agreed that the Regulation will be adopted formally (as an "A" item) by a forthcoming session of the Council once the text is finalised by the SCA.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

The Council discussed the Commission report on the state of implementation of Regulation (EC) No 2200/96 on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables. This discussion allowed delegations to set out their ideas and suggestions with regard to the common organisation of the market. The Commission took note of these and agreed to reflect on them and other comments.

BEEF AND VEAL

The Council reached a political agreement by qualified majority (the Spanish and Netherlands delegations voting against) on the reform of the beef and veal sector on the basis of compromise suggestions from the Presidency which the Commission accepted. The reform aims to eliminate the current imbalance between the supply and demand caused by the BSE crisis. In particular it foresees a temporary increase in the ceiling for intervention from 350 000 tonnes to 500 000 tonnes and changes to the premium system to reduce production and to promote extensive production.

HOPS

The Council reached a unanimous political agreement on a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) n 1696/71 on the common organisation of the market in hops. This agreement foresees that the Regulation will extend for a period of 3 years, up to the 2003 harvest, the flat-rate aid of EUR 480/ha. to hop producers and special measures relating to set aside and/or permanent grubbing up.

The Council agreed that the Regulation will be adopted formally (as an "A" item) by a forthcoming session of the Council once the text is finalised by the SCA.

ORGANIC FOOD AND FARMING - COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS

The Council

1. Recognises organic farming as one way to achieve a sustainable development.

2. NOTES the importance of Council Regulation 2092/91 of 24 June 1991 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs.

3. NOTES that the Member States, within the framework of their Rural Development Programs, in accordance with the Council Regulation 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999, have the possibility to promote organic farming.

4. RECOGNISES the importance of the ongoing work regarding inter alia labelling of organic fodder, control of the organic production and implementing the rules on organic livestock.

5. NOTES that the consumer interest in organic products increases in Europe.

6. INVITES the Member States, the Commission and stakeholders to share ideas on what further action at European Union level could facilitate production, processing, trade and consumption of organic products in Europe and in the light of these ideas

7. INVITES the Commission to analyse the possibility of a European Union action plan to promote organic food and farming and present appropriate proposals.

OTHER BUSINESS

- PESTICIDE RESIDUES

The Council took note of a new national regulation in Denmark on pesticide residues without harmonised maximum residue levels. This delegation indicated that, based on the precautionary principle, it will lay down maximum residue levels corresponding to the lowest level of detection for all products with traceable pesticide residues without harmonised residue levels. It indicated that this should work as a supplementary protection of consumers and should not affect intra-Community trade.

The Commission reported to the Council on progress being made on the establishment of harmonised maximum residue levels.

- BSE TESTS

The Council was informed by the French delegation of its view that it considers it necessary that in order to obtain the same level of protection for imported products as for Community products, and hence to keep consumers' trust in the Community arrangements, third countries classified as having the same level of risk in respect of BSE as the Member States be asked to perform tests on all bovine animals over 30 months whose meat or products deriving from it are intended for the Community market.

The Commission emphasised that measures already in place were sufficient to ensure that imported products are safe. Notwithstanding this, the Commission indicated that in order to have a complete epidemiological picture it was currently encouraging third countries to perform BSE tests and indicated that it would report back to the Council on this point.

- FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

The Council was informed by the United Kingdom delegation of the current state of play of the foot-and-mouth outbreak. The worst phase of the outbreak has now passed, allowing restrictions in some regions to be lifted, but in line with scientific predictions a small number of cases continues to be reported.

The Netherlands delegation reported on its hope of lifting the remaining restrictions in force in its territory shortly.

- ANIMAL MOVEMENTS

The Council heard a presentation by the Netherlands delegation on the issue of the assembling and movement of animals, in view of lessons learned from the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. It urged the Commission to make proposals to strengthen EU legislation in this area, calling in particular for the adoption of rules on the assembling of all even-toed ungulates, animal transport and identification and registration.

- CODEX ALIMENTARIUS

The Council heard a presentation by the Commission representative on the progress being made in the Commission's application to join the Codex Alimentarius as a full member and emphasised to delegations the positive implications that such membership would have for European efforts on food safety in an international context.

- SUGAR IMPORT ARRANGEMENTS

The Council was informed by the United Kingdom delegation on its concern about the absence of proposals at this stage on the Special Preferential Sugar Arrangements from the ACP and India on the one hand, and the implementation rules for the "Everything But Arms" agreement on the other hand, as far as sugar is concerned. The Commission representative reported to the Council his hope that progress would be made on both these aspects as soon as possible.

ITEMS APPROVED WITHOUT DEBATE

AGRICULTURE

Sugar sector - Common organisation of the markets *

The Council adopted a Regulation on the common organisation of the markets in the sugar sector. The proposal is aimed at reforming the "sugar" CMO on the basis of the experience gained, by taking account of the financial framework decided on in Berlin, the new negotiations within the WTO on agriculture and the future enlargement of the Union.

Processed fruit and vegetables - Common organisation of the market

The Council adopted an amendment to Regulation (EC) no 2201/96 on the common organisation of the market in processed fruit and vegetable products. The aim of these amendments is to correct an error that was introduced in Regulation (EC) no 2201/96 by Regulation (EC) no 2699/2000.

Distillation of certain wine sector products *

The Council adopted a Decision on the granting of exceptional national aid by the government of the French Republic for the distillation of certain wine sector products in accordance with the third subparagraph of Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty. This Decision will allow the French Republic to grant exceptional aid to certain French wine producers for a quota of 1,5 million hectolitres, the purpose being to raise the price of the wine supplied from € 1,914 per % volume per hectolitre to € 3,05 per % volume per hectolitre, subject to a ceiling of € 19 million.

Biodiversity Action Plan for Agriculture - Council Conclusions

THE COUNCIL

1. WELCOMES the Biodiversity Action Plan for Agriculture as a response to its conclusions of 16-17 June 1998 on the European Community Strategy for biodiversity and recognises the important work undertaken by the Commission.

2. UNDERLINES the need to continue to improve the integration of biodiversity in the implementation and in future development of the Common Agricultural Policy.

3. UNDERLINES the importance to include the effects on biodiversity in all the reports and reviews referred to in the Council conclusions on environmental integration and sustainable development in the Common Agricultural Policy.

4. STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE for the Member States to identify the obstacles to improve the biodiversity in agriculture in the framework of the foreseen mid-term evaluation reports on their rural development programmes before the end of 2003.

5. INVITES the Commission to adopt implementing rules as envisaged in Directive 98/95/EC concerning the marketing of seed of landraces and varieties which are naturally adapted to the local and regional conditions and threatened by genetic erosion and to prepare criteria for identifying the appropriate varieties for this purpose. The Commission is also invited to as soon as possible prepare criteria for identifying breeds threatened with extinction eligible for support under Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999.

FISHERIES

Agreement with Comoros

The Council adopted the decision on the conclusion of the Agreement setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution between the European Economic Community and the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros on fishing off the Comoros for the period from 28 February 2001 to 27 February 2004.

The fishing opportunities are allocated among the Member States as follows:

Tuna seiners:

Spain: 18 vessels

France: 21 vessels

Italy: 1 vessel

Surface longliners:

Spain: 20 vessels

Portugal:5 vessels.

The financial compensation is fixed at EUR 350 250 per year and EUR 210 250 for the measures concerning assistance for the development of non-industrial fishing, financing of scientific and technical programmes and the participation of Comorian delegates in international meetings concerning fisheries, the Comoros' contribution to regional fisheries organisations and the financing of study grants and practical training courses in the fisheries field.

Negotiations with ACP on tuna

The Council adopted a Decision authorising the European Commission to open negotiations for the conclusion of bilateral agreements on tuna-fishing with the ACP countries of the Central West Pacific.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Relations with Egypt

The Council:

- adopted a draft Decision on the signature of the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement with Egypt;

- adopted the text of the Agreement and of the Final Act;

- decided to request the assent of the European Parliament under Article 310 of the EC Treaty, once the Agreement has been signed.

The aims of this Agreement are:

– to provide an appropriate framework for political dialogue, allowing the development of close political relations between the Parties;

– to establish conditions for the progressive liberalisation of trade in goods, services and capital;

– to foster the development of balanced economic and social relations between the Parties through dialogue and cooperation;

– to contribute to the economic and social development of Egypt;

– to encourage regional cooperation with a view to the consolidation of peaceful co-existence and economic and political stability;

– to promote cooperation in other areas which are of mutual interest.

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Footnotes:

( 1) Draft Regulation laying down transitional measures to permit the change-over to Regulation (EC) no 999/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down rules for the prevention, control and eradication of certain transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and amending Annexes VII and XI thereof.