Informal video conference of agriculture and fisheries ministers, 25 January 2021

Main results

Ministers touched upon a range of issues during the full day informal videoconference meeting: guidance on the start of the formal bilateral EU-UK consultations on setting definite fishing opportunities for 2021 (and for some stocks for 2022), the impact and perspectives of the latest trade developments on EU's agricultural sector and the current state of play regarding the interinstitutional negotiations of the post-2020 Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) reform package.

The Portuguese presidency kicked-off the meeting with a presentation of its priorities: a main objective is the conclusion of the CAP reform negotiations in spring. The presidency also outlined other priorities in the agriculture area (rural development strategy, Council decision on sustainable use of pesticides, and agreeing EU’s priorities for the UN Food Systems Summit) and fisheries (agree main fishing opportunities with UK and Norway, complete regulation on the new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, and agree on a general approach on the revision of the Control System).

Fisheries

Ministers discussed their priorities for the start of the formal bilateral EU-UK consultations on setting definite fishing opportunities for 2021 for the jointly managed stocks (and, for deep-sea shared stocks, for 2021 and 2022). They also supported the presidency's initial guidance to the European Commission who will be leading the consultations, emphasising the need to respect the principles of the common fisheries policy. An important priority for ministers was to provide certainty to the EU's fishing communities as quickly as possible and promote the sector's environmental, economic and social sustainability. Ministers also called for clarity and transparency from the European Commission while conducting the consultations; they highlighted the need to be fully informed and involved throughout the process and at different levels.

Some member states also raised concerns on Norway's recent unilateral decision on quotas for some shared stocks, calling for the rapid conclusion of the EU-Norway negotiations on the fishing opportunities.

The EU-UK consultations on fishing opportunities for 2021 is a historic exercise. It is the first time we will be implementing the EU-UK trade and cooperation agreement. We want to set the right path for an agreement that puts sustainability at its heart and ensures the livelihood of our fishing communities.

Ricardo Serrão Santos, Minister of the Sea of Portugal

Agriculture

During the afternoon session, ministers held an exchange of views on the basis of a Commission presentation on the recent international trade developments and their impact on EU's agrifood sector. Several ministers highlighted the need for a level playing field in EU's trade deals, e.g. Mercosur, to ensure that European farmers are treated fairly; many emphasised the importance of importing agrifood products from third countries only when they respect high environmental and sustainability standards as EU ones do. Ministers also welcomed the EU-UK agreement and the non-tariff status for agrifood products, stressing the need to closely monitor its implementation to ensure certainty and stability in the sector, including topics like geographical indications. Ministers also referred to the new perspectives and opportunities emerging with the new USA administration, notably related to de-escalating trade tensions.

In addition, the European Commission provided a brief preview of the update of the 2016 study conducted by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), reflecting the latest EU negotiated agreements, like the ones with Mercosur, Canada, Japan Vietnam and Mexico. The initial results confirmed that the EU agricultural sector can benefit from the EU trade agenda (through the projection of different scenarios). Ministers welcomed the initial conclusions but expressed the need to receive and analyse the study in more details with a view to discussing it during an upcoming ministerial meeting. 

The presidency also informed ministers on the current state of play of the post-2020 CAP reform package negotiations, explaining that several political and technical meetings have been planned with a view to reaching an agreement this spring. Focus points were the new delivery model, the green architecture and environmental standards, trade with third countries, exceptional market measures and more. Ministers generally encouraged the presidency to stick to the Council's general approach (as agreed in October 2020) during the interinstitutional negotiations, also in the context of the much-discussed green architecture of the reform, although some expressed support for certain European Parliament amendments. Ministers repeated the need to simplify rules, balance environmental and socioeconomic effects, and reach an agreement as early as possible on the basis of a performance-oriented system.

• Future of the CAP post 2020 (background information)

Reaching an agreement in the CAP reform negotiations in spring is an absolute priority for our presidency. We plan to build upon the previous presidencies' hard work and capitalise on their successes to achieve this. The Council's general approach remains our guide in the negotiations; it is a balanced text that will help us reach a balanced agreement. Agriculture is one of the keys to unlock and speed up the effects of Europe's recovery and digital transformation plans. Maria do Céu Antunes, Minister for Agriculture of Portugal

Other items discussed (under AOB) were: i) the information provided by the Croatian delegation regarding the impact of the recent earthquake in Croatia to the agricultural sector and certain rural areas accompanied by requests to the Commission to show flexibility and activate any available measure to help the recovery and ii) the call made by the Slovenian delegation (with the support of 13 member states) to introduce measures at EU level to help the pig meat sector recover from severe price drops due to the COVID-19 pandemic.