22.11.2024

Industries: Agrofood

Legal Field | 01 – 15 November

AGRIFISH Council 18 November: highlights of the agenda

The Council will hold an initial exchange of views on two Commission proposals on fishing opportunities, namely the proposal on fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 2025 and, for some stocks, also for 2026, and the proposal on fishing opportunities for 2025 in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

The proposals aim to set catch and effort limits for most commercial fish stocks, as well as national quotas for each species. Some of the fishing opportunities provided for in the proposals will be set autonomously by the EU, while others will be set following multilateral or bilateral consultations with third countries.

The Council debate will be based on a presentation by the Commission of its two proposals and will give ministers the opportunity to exchange views on their main priorities for this year’s fishing opportunities exercise. This debate will lay the foundations for the AGRIFISH Council meeting in December, where ministers are expected to reach a political agreement on the two proposals. The Council’s decision in December will be based on the proposals drawn up by the Commission and will take into account the best scientific advice available, while respecting the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), namely ensuring that EU fisheries are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable. The December political agreement will also take into account the EU’s multi-annual plans for various sea basins.

On the basis of information provided by the Commission and an update from the member states, the Council will take stock of the situation on the agri-food market. Before the exchange of views, the ministers will be joined by the Ukrainian Minister for Agrarian Policy and Food, Vitalii Koval, who will present the situation of the agricultural sector in Ukraine. The Ukrainian minister is expected to be present in person.

After the Ukrainian Minister’s speech, the Council will begin the debate on the market situation, addressing the challenges that can be anticipated in the short, medium and long term, as well as possible solutions.

EU agricultural markets are showing some positive signs of a partial return to stability, with improvements in demand for agri-food products in most sectors and a decrease in input costs. Several challenges remain, including the negative impact of extreme weather events, health pressure in the animal sector, the geopolitical context and the trade environment.

In this context, the Presidency will also present a “Miscellaneous” item on the results of the sectoral debates on the challenges and future prospects of the different agricultural sectors. The debates took place in the Special Committee on Agriculture and centred on the dairy sector, the pig and poultry sectors, beef and veal, sheepmeat and goatmeat, the cereals, oilseeds and sugar sectors, the wine sector and, finally, the fruit and vegetable, beekeeping and olive sectors.

Among the “miscellaneous” items, the Council will also receive information on

– an EU protein strategy (German and Danish delegations);

– the implementation of the N+3 rule for rural development interventions in CAP strategic plans (Spanish delegation);

– imports of Ukrainian honey to Bulgaria and Romania (Bulgarian and Romanian delegations)

The Council is also expected to adopt a list of legislative and non-legislative “A” items (without debate) planned for this Council meeting. In particular, the Council is expected to adopt a regulation amending phytosanitary legislation as well as fishing opportunities for 2025 in the Baltic Sea, following the political agreement reached in October.

 

Activities of the European Parliament’s AGRI Committee

On 4 November, the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) heard and scrutinised Christophe Hansen, Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Food.

On 6 November, AGRI, together with the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), took part in the hearing of Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner-designate for animal health and welfare.

On 11 November, AGRI debated the European Court of Auditors’ Special Report 20/2024 on the CAP’s environmental and climate performance. This debate was organised jointly with the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT).

 

Study: The role of commodity traders in shaping agricultural markets

The European Parliament’s AGRI Committee released a study on 8 November that provides an overview of the impact of commodity traders on agricultural markets.

It examines the ramifications of financialisation, explores the prevailing trends and seeks to confront the challenges that characterise the sector’s outlook.

In addition, after analysing the regulatory situation at international level, it makes suggestions for strengthening responsibility and transparency, which are considered essential for promoting trust and sustainability.

By analysing these aspects, this study aims to offer an insight into the intricate dynamics of agricultural trade and its wider socio-economic implications.

(See Documents and studies)

 

European Commission launches market observatory for the olive oil and table olives sector

On 11 November, the European Commission announced the launch of this European Observatory, which marks a significant milestone in its efforts to promote market transparency and cooperation in the olive sector.

The Observatory will serve as a platform for debate and co-operation between experts representing the entire supply chain, from producers to exporters. It will follow the model of the market observatories that already exist for various agricultural sectors, such as milk, crops and fruit and vegetables.

By collecting and evaluating market data and statistics, the observatory will draw up reports and provide market information accessible to all.

Given that EU olive oil production plays a vital role on the world market, for the Commission, the launch of the observatory is a significant step towards a more informed and proactive approach to tackling the sector’s challenges.

This initiative is part of the Commission’s wider efforts to promote market transparency and co-operation in the agricultural sector, ultimately contributing to a more solid and resilient olive oil sector.

The expert group of the EU Olive Oil and Table Olives Market Observatory will meet at least twice a year. A summary report will be published after each meeting.

 

Activities of the European Parliament’s PECH Committee

Commissioner-designate Costas Kadis (Cypriot) for Fisheries and Oceans was heard and scrutinised by the parliamentary Committee on Fisheries on 6 November.

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