Rådsmøde landbrugsministre 26/2 01 Pressemeddelelse
Europaudvalget
(Alm. del - bilag 894)
rådsmødereferater
(Offentligt)
Til
Udvalgets medlemmer og stedfortrædere
Pressemeddelelse vedr. rådsmøde Landbrug den 26. februar 2001 på engelsk
|
Dette rådsmøde 2332 (6511/01 presse 66) blev behandlet af Europaudvalget på mødet den 23. februar 2001. |
Bearbejdet dansk pressemeddelelse for dette rådsmøde vil blive hjemsendt som omtryk til dette bilag så snart det ligger klar fra Rådets oversættelsestjeneste.
Bruxelles, den 28. februar 2001
Med venlig hilsen
Morten Knudsen
Press Release: Brussels (26-02-2001) - Press: 66 - Nr: 6511/01
PRESS RELEASE
Subject :
|
2332nd Council meeting - AGRICULTURE - Brussels, 26 February 2001 |
|
President : |
Ms Margareta WINBERG Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Equal Opportunities of the Kingdom of Sweden |
CONTENTS
PARTICIPANTS
ITEMS DEBATED
TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPHATIES
BSE: CURRENT SITUATION
MONITORING AND CONTROL OF SCRAPIE - PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS
BEEF AND VEAL - PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS
EUROPEAN FOOD AUTHORITY
WTO NEGOTIATIONS ON AGRICULTURE
OTHER BUSINESS
CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
FOOD LABELLING
LABELLING OF GMO FEEDINGSTUFFS
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
IMPACT OF THE "EVERYTHING BUT ARMS" INITIATIVE ON THE COMMON MARKET ORGANISATIONS IN RELATION TO SENSITIVE PRODUCTS
SITUATION ON THE WINE MARKET
SETTING-UP AID FOR YOUNG FARMERS
MOROCCO: FISHERIES NEGOTIATIONS
ITEMS APPROVED WITHOUT DEBATE
AGRICULTURE
FORESTS - Protection of the Community's forests against atmospheric pollution and against fire
Council conclusions on Special report N° 11/2000 of the Court of Auditors on olive oil
Council Conclusions and Recommendations on Special report N° 20/2000 of the Court of Auditors concerning the management of the Common Organisation of the Market for sugar
FISHERIES
Financial support to Guinea-Bissau in the fisheries sector
Fishing agreements
- Angola
- Mauritius
- Republic of Guinea
INTERNAL MARKET
Directive on recognition of professional qualifications*
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental inspections in the Member States - minimum criteria
HEALTH
Directive on clinical trials
EMPLOYMENT/ SOCIAL POLICY
Combating poverty and social exclusion - common objectives
TRANSPORT / SHIPPING
Directive on ship inspection organisations
Directive on port State control of shipping
NOMINATION
Economic and Social Committee
_________________
For further information call 02 285 78 33 - 02 285 81 11
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 |
|
Mr José HAPPART |
Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Walloon Region) |
|
Denmark : |
|
|
Ms Ritt BJERREGAARD |
Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries |
|
Germany : |
|
|
Ms Renate KÜNAST |
Federal Minister for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture |
|
Greece : |
|
|
Mr Georgios ANOMERITIS |
Minister for Agriculture |
|
Spain : |
|
|
Mr Miguel ARIAS CANETE |
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 Alfonso PECORARO SCANIO |
Minister for Agriculture and Forestry 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 |
|
Mr Luís VIEIRA |
State Secretary for Agriculture |
|
Finland : |
|
|
Mr Kalevi HEMILÄ |
Minister for Agriculture and Forestry |
|
Sweden : |
|
|
Ms Margareta WINBERG |
Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Equal Opportunities |
|
Mr Per-Göran ÖJEHEIM |
State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture |
|
United-Kingdom : |
|
|
Mr Nick BROWN |
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food |
|
* * * | |
|
Commission : |
|
|
Mr David BYRNE |
Member |
|
Mr Franz FISCHLER |
Member |
- BSE: CURRENT SITUATION
The Commission informed the Council that, following the opinions of the Scientific Steering Committee and the Standing Veterinary Committee, it would very shortly adopt decisions requiring the removal of the vertebral column from bovine carcasses, banning the mechanical recovery of meat from bovine bones and requiring the heat treatment of rendered ruminant fats (tallow) used in ruminant feed.
The Council noted the Commission's intention to make other proposals shortly. The Council also noted delegations' comments on this information and on other issues concerning BSE and the Commission's response to their comments.
- MONITORING AND CONTROL OF SCRAPIE - PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS
1. The Council, on the basis of a memorandum submitted by the German delegation at the Agriculture Council meeting on 29 January 2001, examined whether the existing monitoring and control measures for scrapie were sufficient, especially with regard to scientific experiments showing that sheep can be infected orally with BSE.
2. The Member States noted the Opinion of the Scientific Steering Committee adopted on 8 and 9 February 2001 on the risk of BSE in small ruminants, taking the view that there was no evidence to confirm "in the field" that BSE was present in small ruminants but stressing the need for improved surveillance of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) in sheep and the development of a test for differential diagnosis of TSEs. The Presidency recalled that in the Council's common p osition on TSE ( 1), measures for monitoring scrapie in sheep and goats had already been reinforced.
3. The Presidency noted that the Commission had already excluded some Specified Risk Materials (SRM) from sheep and goats from the human food chain and that it would continue to manage that list of SRM in the light of any new scientific developments.
4. The Member States took note of the ongoing work within the Commission to improve the programme for the surveillance of scrapie, in particular as regards the identification and traceability of sheep and goats and to reinforce the testing programmes for TSE in those animals. The Presidency noted the Commission's intention to speed up the development of a test to make it feasible to distinguish BSE from scrapie.
5. The Presidency noted that, in order to maintain a high level of health protection in the Community, the Member States wished to see the Commission closely following scientific developments with regard to TSE in small ruminants and, if necessary, proposing appropriate measures.
The Council held a preliminary debate on the Commission's proposals and guidelines to deal with the situation in the beef sector arising out of the BSE crisis.
The Council shared the Commission's analysis of the situation. A number of delegations considered, however, that the measures proposed were inadequate for the purposes of resolving the problems. The measures proposed were insufficient both in terms of restoring the balance of the market in beef and veal in the medium term and as far as support for producers was concerned. Nor was the proposal likely to give sufficient encouragement to quality production. The Council noted alternative proposals from certa in Member States in this regard.
A number of delegations were unable, for various reasons, to give a positive response to the Commission's proposal to introduce in the short term a special purchase scheme instead of the current destruction scheme.
Some delegations took the view that the Commission should allow room in its proposal for assessment of the market situation in different Member States. Other delegations supported destruction as the most appropriate solution. Some delegations thought that the proposal should not be submitted to the Management Committee, but rather to the Council.
Some delegations requested harmonisation of national aids with reference to the BSE crisis. The Council took cognisance of a report on the survey on state aids that the Commission had sent out to the Member States and noted that the Commission intended to assess the aids in accordance with existing rules.
As far as long-term prospects were concerned, both the Commission representative and a number of delegations pointed to the need to discuss the future direction of agricultural policy, including in the beef and veal sector. A number of delegations thought that it was particularly important that the policy should be directed towards competitiveness and rural development with particular emphasis on environment, ecology and quality, bearing in mind the long-term interests of both producers and consumers. Ot her Member States were opposed to those questions being discussed at the present time. The Presidency will follow up the views expressed and will return to the Council on the question.
In conclusion, the Council instructed the Special Committee on Agriculture to analyse, in the light of the discussions which had taken place, the proposals submitted to it and to report back to the Council at the next meeting in March.
In addition the Council decided to consult the European Parliament on the Commission proposals (under the urgent procedure in the case of the proposal on beef and veal) and also to consult the Economic and Social Committee.
The Council took note of a progress report concerning the establishment of a European Food Authority and on questions pertaining to food safety. The report focuses on the question of the establishment of the Authority (chapter III of the proposal by the Commission).
The Presidency stated that progress had been made in the negotiations on the Authority and drew the conclusion that the Authority should be in place early next year in accordance with the task assigned by the European Council in Nice. It also stated that the Agriculture Council will remain closely associated with the work concerning the establishment of the European Food Authority and that the aim is to achieve a political decision by June 2001.
The Council heard a presentation by Commissioner FISCHLER on the latest developments in the agricultural negotiations within the WTO. The Council agreed to revert to these negotiations during spring 2001.
- CODEX ALIMENTARIUS
Commissioners BYRNE and FISCHLER informed the Council on the importance which the Commission attaches to the necessary steps to be taken as soon as possible by the Community to join the Codex Alimentarius. In order to include the question of a possible accession of the Community to the Codex Alimentarius on the agenda of the next meeting of the Committee on the general principles of the Codex Alimentarius, a decision has to be taken at the latest by 1 March 2001.
During the exchange of views which followed this presentation, several Delegations expressed their support to the Commission. However, it was also stressed that further discussions on the question of how to organise future Community coordination within the Codex Alimentarius have to be undertaken, it being understood that the Permanent Representatives Committee will give the necessary priority to this file.
- FOOD LABELLING
The Council took note of the request by United Kingdom and supported by several Member States for a coherent labelling policy for agricultural products at Community level which would address consumer needs and it invited the Commission to take into consideration this request in its further work.
- LABELLING OF GMO FEEDINGSTUFFS
At the request of the Italian delegation, the Council discussed the question of interim measures requiring the labelling of animal feed containing genetically modified plant products as from July 2001 at the latest.
It was underlined that there is an agreement that common rules for GMO labelling of feeds should be provided without delay. It also urged the Commission to speed up work on presenting a proposal.
- FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE
The Council was informed by the United Kingdom Minister of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in his country.
Minister BROWN informed the Council of the latest developments and outlined the measures being taken by the UK Authorities, in consultation with the Commission services, to contain and eradicate the outbreak.
- IMPACT OF THE "EVERYTHING BUT ARMS" INITIATIVE ON THE COMMON MARKET ORGANISATIONS IN RELATION TO SENSITIVE PRODUCTS
The Council took note of a request from the Spanish Delegation to carry out rapidly an
in-depth study of the impact on bananas, rice and sugar production in the Community in relation to the "everything but arms" initiative adopted by the GAC on 26 February 2001.
The Spanish delegation stressed the need for the budgetary implications on the CMO's for these sensitive products to be taken into due account in the context of future reform decisions.
- SITUATION ON THE WINE MARKET
In the light of the current wine market situation in Spain, the Council was informed that Spain had asked the Commission to respond urgently to its request for 2.6 million hl of wine to be distilled.
- SETTING-UP AID FOR YOUNG FARMERS
Following the prescriptions of Regulation 1257/99 on support of rural development set up in the framework of Agenda 2000 certain modifications were introduced to the previous regime of Regulation 950/97 for the setting up of young farmers. Several Delegations asked for a transitional period in order to meet problems arising from the fact that implementing provisions of the new regulation were not applicable. The Commission representative, in his reply, announced its willingness to show some flexi bility for the application of the new regulation for the year 2000.
- MOROCCO: FISHERIES NEGOTIATIONS
The Council was informed by Commissioner FISCHLER on recent developments in the negotiations of a fisheries agreement with Morocco.
(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.)
FORESTS - Protection of the Community's forests against atmospheric pollution and against fire
The Council adopted the common position and the statement of reasons with a view to the adoption of a Regulation amending Council Regulation (EEC) N° 3528/86 on the protection of the Community's forests against atmospheric pollution and amending Council Regulation (EEC) N° 2158/92 on protection of the Community's forests against fire.
The objective of the Regulation on the protection of the Community's forests against atmospheric pollution is to continue intensive monitoring schemes in order to maintain fundamental ecological balances and conserve forest ecosystems, and that of the Regulation on the protection of the Community's forests against fire is to strengthen the consistency of forest measures, reinforce the fight against the causes of fires and improve prevention and monitoring systems. The period of operation of the schemes i s increased to fifteen years, as from 1 January 1987, as a result of the five-year extension.
The Council has approved the substance of the Commission proposals but made a number of amendments. The majority of the amendments are based on amendments by the European Parliament, particularly in the recitals which refer to the general role of forests in ecosystems and the role of Mediterranean forests in halting the progress of desertification, to the consequences of forest damage, to attainment of the objectives in Article 33(1)(b) of the Treaty and to the pan-European Ministerial Conference in Lisb on. With regard to budget funding, the Council has taken as funding available the figure for the 2001 budget adopted jointly with the Parliament. The Articles on committee procedure were inserted by the Council to take account of the new Decision (1999/468/EC) on committee procedure, without entailing any substantive changes. An Article and a recital on the effects of the annulled Regulations had to be added in order to ensure legal certainty.
Council conclusions on Special report N° 11/2000 of the Court of Auditors on olive oil
The Council has taken note of Special Report No 11/2000 of the Court of Auditors on the support scheme for olive oil, and has adopted the following conclusions:
"The Council
- with regard to production aid:
= Suggests that the production aid control measures be assessed, since the amendments introduced in 1998, before being revised in the context of the future reform;
= Requests that the geographical information system be established quickly and that the yield analysis be continued and refined;
= Requests the Commission to carry out a detailed and precise evaluation of the results of the promotional campaigns;
= Notes the Commission's intention to submit reform proposals between now and the end of 2000 and its desire to prevent a structural imbalance of the market;
- with regard to previous consumption aid:
= Trusts that the initiatives taken by the Commission will enable the amounts yet to be recovered in all the agricultural sectors concerned to be balanced as quickly as possible;
= Emphasises that Member States must take the same measures to protect the Community's financial interests as they do to protect their own."
"The Council:
- notes that the conclusions of the Court of Auditors and of the Commission diverge very appreciably on fundamental points, in particular on aspects such as the economic cost, the actual existence of the structural surplus and the treatment of ACP volumes;
- notes that the Court of Auditors recognises that same of the objectives of the CAP and the CMO for sugar have been achieved.
The Council makes the following recommendations:
- the Commission should draw up detailed studies to assess the cost of the CMO for sugar so as to inform the Council of the requirements of this sector. These studies, the first of which should be available at the beginning of 2001, will have to take account of the impact of concessions to the LDCs on the sugar market;
- future proposals on the reform of the sector should include comparative analyses of the various conceivable economic options;
- the Commission should endeavour to improve the collection and processing of data, particularly those intended for calculating cost prices and for setting sugar production levies;
- the Commission will have to ensure that the rules of free competition are applied to a greater extent in the management of the CMO for sugar."
Financial support to Guinea-Bissau in the fisheries sector
The Council adopted the decision setting the terms for financial support to Guinea_Bissau in the fisheries sector.
By Regulation (EC) No 2615/97 the Council approved a Protocol which sets out fishing possibilities and financial compensation for the period from 16 June 1997 to 15 June 2001. As a result of the armed conflict which affected Guinea-Bissau from June 1998 until March 1999, the Government of Guinea-Bissau was not able to ensure the normal course of fishing activities. This exceptional situation endangered Community vessels and called for a temporary break in fishing as from June 1998 until 1 April 1999.
This decision sets the terms for financial support to Guinea-Bissau up to a maximum of EUR 6 500 000 in the fisheries sector in order to facilitate the restoration of fishing activities by Community vessels.
The Council adopted the following regulations:
Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out for the period 3 May 2000 to 2 May 2002 the
fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the
European Economic Community and the Government of the People's Republic of Angola on fishing
off Angola.
Regulation relating to the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period of 3 December 1999 to 2 December 2002, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Governement of Mauritius on fishing in the waters of Mauritius.
Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol setting out the fishing rights and financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Government of the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast for the period from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2001.
Directive on recognition of professional qualifications*
Following an agreement reached at the Conciliation Committee on 15 January 2001, the Council adopted the Directive amending Directives 89/48/EEC and 92/51/EEC on the general system for the recognition of professional qualifications and supplementing Directives 77/452/EEC, 77/453/EEC, 78/686/EEC, 78/687/EEC, 78/1026/EEC, 78/1O27/EEC, 80/154/EEC, 80/155/EEC, 85/384/EEC, 85/432/EEC, 85/433/EEC and 93/16/EEC concerning the professions of nurse responsible for general care, dental practitioner, veterinary surgeon, midwife, architect, pharmacist and doctor.
Environmental inspections in the Member States - minimum criteria
Following agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on a joint text in the Conciliation Committee meeting on 8 January 2001, the Council formally adopted the Recommendation providing for minimum criteria for environmental inspections in the Member States. Subject to confirmation by the European Parliament - the vote is scheduled for the Part-session of 28 February-1 March - the Recommendation will be definitively adopted.
The aim of the Recommendation is to strengthen the compliance with and to contribute to a more consistent implementation and enforcement of Community environmental law in the Member States. Further details on the content of the Recommendation can be found in the press release 5047/01 Presse 5 - G.
The Council, having approved all the amendments adopted by the European Parliament at second reading concerning the draft Directive on clinical trials (Directive on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the implementation of good clinical practice in the conduct of clinical trials on medicinal products for human use), adopted this Directive by a qualified majority, the Netherlands delegation voting against.
This Directive aims to rationalise the documentational and administrative procedures implemented for the conduct of clinical trials on medicinal products, while guaranteeing the same level of protection for patients.
The standards laid down for the conduct of clinical trials have evolved gradually both within the European Community and at international level. These standards were consolidated in 1990 in the form of Community guidelines on good clinical practice. However, as these guidelines are not binding, the Member States have adopted national legislative and/or administrative provisions of different kinds. Current practice in the Member States thus varies considerably in terms of the procedures for starting and c onducting clinical trials and the very broad range of requirements to be met before they can go ahead. This results in delays and complications detrimental to the smooth conduct of such trials, particularly in the case of multi-centre trials being carried out simultaneously in various Member States of the Community. It therefore appeared necessary to simplify and harmonise the differing legislative provisions, by establishing a clear and transparent procedure and creating conditions conducive to the effecti ve coordination of such trials in the Community by the authorities concerned.
Combating poverty and social exclusion - common objectives
Following agreement on common objectives to fight poverty and social exclusion at the Employment and Social Policy Council of 17 October 2000, the Council decided to publish the text in the "C" series of the Official Journal of the European Communities.
The objectives centre around four axes:
- participation in employment and access by all to the resources, rights, goods and services;
- prevention of the risks of exclusion;
- helping the most vulnerable;
- mobilisation of all relevant bodies.
The common objectives form part of the European strategy for combating poverty and social exclusion as initiated by the European Council in Lisbon in March 2000. The European Council in Nice in December 2000 approved the objectives and invited Member States to develop their priorities in relation to these objectives, to submit by June 2001 a national action plan covering a
2-year period and to define indicators and monitoring mechanisms capable of measuring progress.
A Community action programme, which aims to support this strategy, is currently under examination by the European Parliament in second reading, the Council having adopted a common position on 12 February 2001.
Directive on ship inspection organisations
The Council adopted its common position with a view to adopting the Directive on ship inspection organisations.
The draft Directive aims at strengthening and harmonising the quality of the ship inspection and survey organisations undertaking tasks for the Member States ("classification societies"), in particular by:
- transferring from the Member States to the Commission the task of recognising, monitoring and suspending the inspection organisations, it being understood that Member States retain the power for appointing the recognised organisations responsible for surveying their fleet;
- harmonising the civil liability regime of the recognised organisations;
- extending the information to be provided by the recognised organisations to the Commission, the flag States and the Sirenac information system for port State control and, in case of change of classification society, to that newly appointed society.
Directive on port State control of shipping
The Council adopted its common position with a view to adopting the Directive on Port State control.
This draft Directive for amending the Directive on port State control aims at making inspections
mandatory depending on the targeting system for identifying ships representing high risks established by the Paris Memorandum on port State control. As regards older ships, stricter measures concern, in particular, mandatory expanded inspections in order to detect possible risks and the refusal of access to Community ports of old ships having the worst safety record. The draft Directive also provides for a wider divulgation of information between port States, Commission and the general public and an impr oved monitoring of the application of the Directive.
The Council adopted a Decision appointing Mr David FEICKERT is appointed as a member of the Economic and Social Committee in place of Mr Tom JENKINS for the remainder of the latter's term of office, which runs until 20 September 2002.
Footnotes:
( 1) Adopted on 12 February 2001.