PRES highlighted in particular the importance of the Omnibus file and the spirit drink
regulation. The PRES also mentioned the 4-6 Oct conference on soil for sustainable
food production.
The calendar of the meetings foreseen are:
SCA
AGRIFISH
July 10
July 17/18
September 4(Tallinn),18
September 4/5 (informal)
October 2, 23, 30(poss.)
October 9/10
November 20, 27(poss.)
November 6/7
December 4
December 11/12
For more information: https://www.eu2017.ee/sites/default/files/2017-07/EU2017EE%20Presidency%20Calendar.pdf
4.
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on
organic production and labelling of organic products, amending Regulation
(EU) No XXX/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council [Official
controls Regulation] and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 Interinstitutional file: 2014/0100 (COD)
– Debriefing of the last trilogue
The
EE Presidency introduced the point, inviting the MT former Presidency to debrief
on the outcome of the last trilogue and concluded on the next steps as follows:
−
The text will be presented at the CSL meeting of 17/07/2017. In principle no
round table will be foreseen.
−
EE PDCY will seek confirmation of the support by Ministers following the
mandate at the SCA of 26/06/2017.
−
Text will go legal cleaning and removal of potential inconsistencies and will be
presented to the SCA by end September/beginning of October.
−
Following approval by SCA, CSL will transmit the text to the COMAGRI PRES
to launch the endorsement by the EP.
COM confirmed that the outcome of the last trilogue is acceptable.
DE underlined the political importance of the file and pledged for the possibility for
Ministers to take the floor at the CSL of 17/07/2017. It identified a series of positive
issues following the last trilogue, including seeds (subject to drafting clarifications),
animal welfare and aquaculture. DE expressed disappointment on the deletion of the
paragraph under Article 30 providing for additional information on trade agreements and
of the deletion of the provisions under Annex Va (COM supervisory tasks).
It added on the need to align certain provisions in the text and suggested to include
additional text on pesticide residues without however being more specific.
2
DE concluded that the sector in Germany is very dissatisfied of the outcome of the
organic reform and appealed to the COM in relation to the implementing legislation that
will follow.
DK acknowledged progress on several points but expressed disappointment concerning
demarcated beds and controls of retailers. It also raised the issue of organic production of
mussels where the provisions result in a very strict approach and expressed the hope for a
better solution. It also expressed disappointment on the deletion of the paragraph under
Article 30 providing for additional information on trade agreements.
DK also suggested that MS experts are involved in the work of cleaning the text and
removing of potential inconsistencies before the final endorsement.
SE will inform on the outcome of its Parliament session concerning the organic review.
PL expressed disappointment on the outcome of the last trilogue referring to issues
related to animal welfare and to the transition period for ending equivalence with control
bodies. It informed that PL is most likely to abstain during next CSL meeting.
LV expressed its willingness to support EE PDCY. Its final position will be
communicated at the CSL meeting of 17/07/2017.
AT while acknowledging progress expressed doubts about the organic review in
particular concerning lack of harmonisation, which could create problems for the internal
market and not be in line with Better Regulation.
CZ expressed disappointment on the outcome of the review in particular concerning lack
of harmonisation and also pledged to give the possibility to Ministers to debate during
the next CSL meeting.
FI pledged for the possibility for Ministers to have a general discussion on the matter at
the CSL meeting of 17/07/2017.
EE PDCY underlined the complexity of the discussions that took place and, in the light
of the delicate balanced that has been reached, concluded that it does not intend to open
any political discussion and debate on the matter but only to get assurance on the
agreement at the CSL meeting of 17/07/2017. During that meeting those MS that have
eventually changed their position will be invited to take the floor at first place. Of course,
other MS wanting to intervene will be able to do so.
The SCA took note of Cion doc. 7956/14+ADD containing the outcome of the trilogue
which took place on 28 June and took note of PRES intentions in view of CSL meeting
of 17/07/2017.
Contact:
, DG AGRI, Unit B.4 Tel.:
5.
Trade-related agricultural issues
– Information from the Commission
3
Agriculture Ministers because of the crucial role the agriculture and agri-food sectors play in
the creating of jobs (tackling root causes of migration) and the achievement of Agenda 2030.
The Commission referred to the outcome of the conference (which is summarised in the
’concluding remarks’ of the co-organisers that will now feed into the process of preparation
of the Summit) and called MS to join forces with the Commission to deliver collectively and
increase therefore the visibility/branding of EU engagement with Africa.
Contact:
, DG AGRI, Unit A.1 Tel.:
7.
EU particular status in the International Organisation of Vine and Wine
(OIV)
– Approval of a letter
10430/17 AGRI 339 AGRIORG 58 OIV 11
The Presidency presented the exchange of letters between the Commission and OIV with a
view to obtain a particular status. It indicated its willingness to support this exchange of
letters if followed by a Commission proposal in the framework of Article 218(9) of the
Treaty and if there is a mention to the EU’s contribution. It indicated this should allow the
EU to obtain particular status at the upcoming OIV meeting on 20 October 2017.
Commission (Schaps) expressed agreement with approach, highlighted process had been
delayed for institutional reasons and stressed again need to finish this particularly long
process, that started in 2005.
No delegations took the floor.
Presidency noted agreement of the SCA on the approach and indicated it would recommend
its adoption at the upcoming Agricultural Council.
Contact:
, DG AGRI, Unit G.2 Tel.:
8.
Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on
the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union and amending
Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002, Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU)
1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, EU No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1305/2013, (EU) No
1306/2013, (EU) No 1307/2013, (EU) No 1308/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU)
No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014,(EU) No 283/2014, (EU) No 652/2014 of the
European Parliament and of the Council and Decision No 541/2014/EU of the
European Parliament and of the Council (Omnibus proposal) (First reading)
Interinstitutional file: 2016/0282 (COD)
– Debriefing of the last trilogue
The first trilogue on the agricultural provisions of the Omnibus proposal took place in
Strasbourg on 5 July 2017. It focused on the amendments to the Horizontal and CMO
Regulations (Regulation (EU) 1306/2013 and Regulation (EU) 1308/2013).
The EE PRES lauded the constructive atmosphere of first trilogue and confirmed the EP
accepted preliminary to redrawn a number of EP amendments on the Horizontal Regulation,
on condition that the Cion makes official statements.
5
The SCA took note of the information provided on the outcome of the trilogue held on 5 July
as well as on the next steps.
Next steps:
-WP of Agricultural Counsellors/Attachés (SCA) meeting on
20 July - SCA meeting of
4 Sept (in Tallinn)
- Second Trilogue on
7 Sept (DP and RD)
- SCA meeting of
18 Sept (Brussels)
The aim of the meeting of 4 Sept. is to discuss the key political outstanding issues. These are:
competition (in CMO), greening and VCS (in DP), risk management (in RD regulation).
Cion proposes to have settled position for 4 Sept meeting but reminds AGRI is only a part of
the whole Omnbus file (under remit of DG BUDG).
In preparation of this meeting, a document will be issued (together with a four-columned
document for each basic act, and two Commission statements) by the end of this week.
Delegations were invited to inform by 18 August their position on the amendments
("acceptable", "not accepted", or "accepted under certain conditions").
Current discussions will also be based on existing mandate (obtained under MT PRES). In
light of the outcome of the discussion of 4 Sept, it is proposed to revise the mandate during
the SCA meeting of
18 September.
Reporting:
, DG AGRI, Unit I.1 Tel.:
9.
Delegated acts planned for the second half of 2017
– Information from the Commission
The Commission presented the indicative list of draft Delegated Acts circulated
beforehand. Most DA relate to markets (sugar quota, tariff rate quotas, rice notifications,
etc.).
Two delegations intervened (DK and NL) emphasizing the need of simplification in DA
and the particular importance of the tariff quotas (NL).
Reporting:
, DG AGRI, Unit I.5 Tel.:
10.
Organisation of future work
The next AGRIFISH Council meeting will take place on 17 (until 7 PM) and 18 of July
in Brussels (draft agenda in circulation).
A number of delegations requested AOB points:
- PL: requests AOB point to be taken on access to land for farmers; note to be sent by
this Wednesday.
- BE: requested an OAB on drought in BE (doc to be issued on Tuesday 11/07). To be
taken together with ES and PT AOB on drought.
6
- ES: requested an AOB on reflection paper regarding future financing of EU (point to be
taken together with outlook conference).
Finally, on 20 July there will be a WP of Agricultural Counsellors/Attachés meeting on
Omnibus.
Reporting:
, DG AGRI, Unit I.5 Tel.:
7