Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 10/10/2016, 10 October 2016

Main results

Fisheries 

The Council reached a political agreement on the fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2017. 

After a day-long negotiation, ministers unanimously agreed on the maximum quantity of fish that EU fishermen will be allowed to catch next year out of the ten main commercial stocks in the Baltic Sea, a quantity also referred to as the "Total Allowable Catch" (TAC). 

The quantities were agreed taking into account the commitment to the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy, including the achievement of maximum sustainable yield (MSY), the principles of the multiannual fisheries management plan for the Baltic sea, and scientific advice, in particular advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).

• Baltic Sea fisheries: ministers decide on catch limits for 2017

Ministers also exchanged views on the annual consultations between the EU and Norway in the framework of their bilateral fisheries agreement. The main concerns expressed by member states covered the management arrangements for the jointly-managed fish stocks and the exchange of reciprocal fishing possibilities in EU and Norwegian waters.

Agriculture

Ministers held an exchange of views on the Commission proposal for an Omnibus regulation. This regulation is part of the review package of the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) and aims, among other objectives, to further simplify the Common Agriculture Policy, while also strengthening its subsidiarity and flexibility aspects.

Other topics on the agenda 

Ministers discussed a number of other issues, including the market situation and support measures, concerns in relation to the sugar and pigmeat sectors, the greening of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the link between animal welfare and international financial institutions.

"Today's agreement is an excellent result, both for the environment and the Baltic fishermen. It was not easy but we managed to achieve a good balance between the sustainability of our marine resources and the needs of the fisheries sector of the countries concerned, in full compliance with the new Baltic multiannual plan."

Gabriela Matečná, Minister for agriculture and rural development of Slovakia