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Europaudvalget 2009-10
Rådsmøde 3026 - landbrug og fiskeri
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COUNCIL OF

THE EUROPEAN UNION

12077/10

PROVISIONAL VERSION

PRESSE 201

PR CO 9

PRESS RELEASE

3026th Council meeting

Agriculture and Fisheries

Brussels, 12 July 2010

President

Ms Sabine Laruelle

Minister for SMEs, the Self-employed, Agriculture and

Science Policy of Belgium

PRESS

Rue de la Loi 175

B – 1048 BRUSSELS

Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 8914 / 6319

Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026

[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/Newsroom

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12.VII.2010

Main results of the Council

The presidency presented its agriculture and fisheries work programme for the next six months in

a public session.

Ministers held an exchange of views on the

report of the high level group on milk

The Council also held an exchange of views on a Commission report and a proposal for

a Regulation on

aid granted in the framework of the German alcohol monopoly.

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12.VII.2010

CONTENTS

PARTICIPANTS................................................................................................................................ 5

ITEMS DEBATED

PRESIDENCY WORK PROGRAMME ............................................................................................. 7

REPORT OF THE HIGH LEVEL GROUP ON MILK ...................................................................... 9

GERMAN ALCOHOL MONOPOLY............................................................................................... 11

OTHER BUSINESS .......................................................................................................................... 12

Advances on direct payments for 2010.............................................................................................. 12

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

–

EU-Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council.......................................................................................... 13

Relations with Moldova - Protocol to the partnership and co-operation agreement.............................................. 13

Additional resources for the most vulnerable population in Sudan ....................................................................... 13

Arms Trade Treaty -

Council conclusions.............................................................................................................

JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

–

Development of the Schengen acquis - Participation of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland .......... 14

Review of the EU measures to combat terrorism .................................................................................................. 14

European Investigation Order................................................................................................................................ 14

Divorce and legal separation - first EU enhanced cooperation.............................................................................. 15

Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated

in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks.

Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's Internet site

(http://www.consilium.europa.eu).

Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by

an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's Internet site or may be obtained from the Press

Office.

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RESEARCH

–

12.VII.2010

ITER experimental fusion reactor project ............................................................................................................. 15

Baltic Sea research project: "BONUS-169 programme" ....................................................................................... 15

TRANSPORT

–

EU/Brazil agreements on air services and aviation safety..................................................................................... 16

ENERGY

–

EU/Australia agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy ................................................................................ 16

DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEMBER STATES

–

Appointment of judges to the General Court of the European Union ................................................................... 17

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12.VII.2010

PARTICIPANTS

The governments of the member states and the European Commission were represented as follows:

Belgium:

Ms Sabine LARUELLE

Mr Kris PEETERS

Mr Benoît LUTGEN

Bulgaria:

Mr Miroslaw NAYDENOV

Czech Republic:

Mr Stanislav KOZÁK

Denmark:

Mr Henrik HØEGH

Germany:

Mr Robert KLOOS

Estonia:

Mr Gert ANTSU

Ireland:

Mr Brendan SMITH

Greece:

Ms Georgia BAZOTI-MITSONI

Spain:

Ms Elena ESPINOSA

France:

Mr Bruno LE MAIRE

Italy

Mr Giancarlo GALAN

Cyprus:

Mr Demetris ELIADES

Latvia:

Ms Lelde LICE-LICITE

Lithuania:

Mr Mindaugas KUKLIERIUS

Luxembourg:

Mr Romain SCHNEIDER

Hungary:

Mr Sándor FAZEKAS

Malta:

Ms Theresa CUTAJAR

Netherlands:

Ms Gerda VERBURG

Austria:

Mr Nikolaus BERLAKOVICH

Minister for SMEs, the Self-Employed, Agriculture and

Science Policy

Minister-President of the Flemish Government and

Minister for Institutional Reform, Ports, Agriculture, Sea

Fisheries and Rural Policy

Walloon Minister for Public Works, Agriculture, Rural

Affairs, Nature, Forests and Heritage

Minister for Agriculture and Food

Deputy Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

State Secretary

Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Counsellor

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries

Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture, Natural Resources and

Environment

Deputy Permanent Representative

Deputy Minister for Agriculture

Minister for Agriculture, Viticulture and Rural

Development

Minister for Rural Development

Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, the

Environment and Water management

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Poland:

Mr Marek SAWICKI

Portugal:

Mr António SERRANO

Romania:

Mr Mihael DUMITRU

Slovenia:

Mr Dejan �½IDAN

Slovakia:

Mr Peter JAVORCÍK

Finland:

Ms Sirkka-Liisa ANTTILA

Sweden:

Mr Magnus KINDBOM

United Kingdom:

Mr Jim PAICE

12.VII.2010

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development

Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development

Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Food

Deputy Permanent Representative

Minister for Agriculture and Forestry

State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food

Commission:

Mr Dacian CIOLOŞ

Member

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ITEMS DEBATED

PRESIDENCY WORK PROGRAMME

12.VII.2010

Ms Sabine LARUELLE and Mr Kris PEETERS gave a brief presentation on the Belgian Presidency

work programme in the agriculture and fisheries sectors (11893/10).

The agricultural policy priorities of the Belgian Presidency will focus mainly on the future of the

common agricultural policy (CAP) after 2013 and on the dairy sector. The future of the CAP will be

the main point on the agenda for the informal meeting of the agriculture ministers to be held in la

Hulpe on 21 September 2010 and will be discussed further at the December Council meeting. This

will follow the conference on the results of the public consultation on this matter organised by the

Commission on 19 and 20 July. As regards the dairy sector, the presidency reminded the ministers

that the work of the high level group (HLG) on milk will constitute the basis for an initial

discussion at this Council meeting. The discussion on this issue will be taken further during the next

Council meeting on 27 September with the aim of reaching a consensus on specific policy points; at

the December Council meeting, the Commission will present a package of legislative proposals on

this issue. The Belgian presidency also intends to open a debate on a review of Europe's agricultural

product quality policy using a legislative initiative from the Commission on this issue at the end of

2010.

In the veterinary, plant health and food safety sectors the emphasis will be on the roadmap on

transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), financing animal health strategy and the

framework for genetically modified organisms (GMO). The presidency stressed the importance of

the agricultural aspect of the GMO dossier.

The priorities for fisheries policy will focus on the reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP) for

which legislative proposals will be tabled for the first half of 2011. On this issue, a conference will

be organised by the Commission on 16 November 2010 and the Belgian presidency intends to

highlight improved cooperation between science and fisheries by setting up an international

symposium on "Improved Science and Fisheries Partnership Agreements as Policy Drivers" on

9 and 10 November 2010. The symposium's findings will be put to ministers at the November

Fisheries Council lunch.

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12.VII.2010

Concerning 2011 fishing opportunities, the total allowable catches (TACs) and quotas for 2011 will

take up an important part of the autumn meetings. In addition, the technical measures, which

formed part of the annual TAC and quota regulation prior to the Treaty of Lisbon, have been moved

to a transitional Regulation valid until 30 June 2011. As it has been decided to revise the technical

measures as part of the CFP reform, the intention is to make as few substantive changes as possible

and to cooperate with the European Parliament in the framework of the co-decision procedure so

that this dossier is well advanced by the time it is handed over to the next Presidency. The Belgian

presidency will also continue the ongoing work on multiannual management plans.

Finally, with regard to external policy, several regional fisheries organisations, including the

International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT), will hold their annual

meetings during the Belgian presidency, such as. A new negotiating mandate is needed for the part

of the ICCAT meeting dealing with bluefin tuna. This will be discussed at the October Council

meeting.

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REPORT OF THE HIGH LEVEL GROUP ON MILK

12.VII.2010

The Council held an exchange of views on the recommendations of the high level group (HLG) on

milk (11935/10

11758/10)

which had been asked to work out possible perspectives at medium

and long term for the dairy sector.

Member states praised the overall work of the HLG, considering that it would provide a solid basis

for further discussions on the future of the milk sector. Three of the recommendations proposed by

the group were more specifically discussed:

–

Contractual relations between milk producers and dairies,

Reinforcement of bargaining powers of producers which was generally seen as necessary,

and,

Possible role of interbranch organisations in the dairy sector, on the model of what is done

in the fruit and vegetable sector.

–

In addition the need for innovation and research was also considered important, as well as the

transparency in the dairy supply chain which could be achieved through better information on prices

and volumes in the EU. In general delegations considered the safety net as appropriate, but some

delegations indicated that existing measures should be improved and/ or new instruments to reduce

income volatility developed.

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12.VII.2010

Finally, the labelling issue was discussed: many member states insisted on the need to clearly label

imitation products to avoid any confusion. On origin labelling several ministers were in favour of

such a measure on grounds of consumer interest. A few member states rejected the idea of origin

labelling arguing that it would affect the functioning of the single market.

On 5 October 2009, in light of the difficult market situation for milk, the Commission set up a HLG

on milk with the purpose of discussing the measures needed in the sector in the medium and long

term given the expiry of dairy quotas on 1 April 2015. This group published its report mid-June and

made a number of recommendations. Since the Group was set up, the market situation has

improved, as shown in the Commission's last quarterly report of June 2010 (11015/10), but it still

remains fragile.

Following this initial exchange of views, the Presidency intends to continue the discussion at the

Council on 27 September 2010 in order to try to reach consensus on a number of key elements. The

Commission has confirmed its intention to submit a legislative package on the contractual relations,

the improvement of the collective bargaining power of producers and the possible role of

interbranch organisation in the dairy sector before the end of the year. The Commission indicated

that origin labelling would be discussed in the context of the review of Europe's agricultural product

quality policy at the end of 2010.

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GERMAN ALCOHOL MONOPOLY

12.VII.2010

Ministers held an exchange of views on the basis of a Commission report and proposal for a

regulation on an extension of the derogation for the aid granted by Germany in the framework of its

alcohol monopoly (11619/10

11620/10).

Two delegations supported the proposal and no delegation opposed it. Germany and the

Commission would like to see this regulation adopted as soon as possible since it should apply as

from 1 January 2011 given that the current derogation will end on 31 December 2010. Under the

provisions of the Lisbon Treaty, the ordinary legislative procedure provides that the modifications

proposed for this Regulation have to be adopted by the European Parliament. The proposal has

already been referred to the European Parliament's Agriculture and Rural Development Committee.

Under the "single CMO regulation" (Council Regulation No1234/2007), the Commission is

required to report to the Council and the European Parliament on the application of the derogation

granted in respect of the German alcohol monopoly, giving an evaluation of the aids granted in the

framework of that monopoly and proposing measures if needed.

This derogation allows Germany to grant aid, through the federal monopoly administration for

alcohol (Bundesmonopolverwaltung für Branntwein - BfB), for "ethyl alcohol of agricultural

origin". The state aid granted corresponds to the difference between the cost of purchasing raw

alcohol from producers (distilleries and farmers) at above market prices and the income generated

by selling that alcohol at the market price, taking into account the collection, processing and

operational costs borne by the BfB.

As the report shows that it will take a few more years to phase out the monopoly completely and

end the aid, the legislative proposal accompanying the report provides for an extension of the

derogation beyond 31 December 2010 and a gradual reduction in the monopoly's production and

sales until it closes its doors in 2017. Medium-sized agricultural distilleries would remain in the

monopoly until the end of 2013 with specific compensation measures when leaving the system;

small-scale locally oriented distilleries producing very small quantities of alcohol from fruit would

remain in the monopoly until the end of 2017.

At the request of the Commission, the German authorities have undertaken to amend their national

legislation on this monopoly in order to forestall its potential adverse effects on the single market.

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OTHER BUSINESS

Advances on direct payments for 2010

12.VII.2010

The Lithuanian delegation provided the Council with information on its request to the Commission

for advance payment of up to 80% of the 2010 direct farm payments. Exceptional climatic

conditions in Lithuania caused great damage to winter crops and farmers were obliged to invest in

spring crops. The losses suffered by farmers along with their continued financial and cash flow

problems would justify advance payments. Several delegations supported the Lithuanian delegation

and indicated they would make similar requests. The Commissioner indicated that his services were

prepared to examine the requests, while underlining that exceptional circumstances had to be

proven and that the control of the applications had to be finalised (11884/10).

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OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

EU-Macedonia Stabilisation and Association Council

12.VII.2010

The Council adopted the draft common EU position for the seventh meeting of the Stabilisation and

Association Council between the European Union and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

to be held in Brussels on 20 July 2010. It also approved the provisional agenda for this meeting.

Relations with Moldova - Protocol to the partnership and co-operation agreement

The Council adopted a decision on the signing and provisional application of a protocol to the

partnership and co-operation agreement between the EU and Moldova on a framework agreement

on the general principles for the participation of Moldova in Union programmes. The Council also

approved a decision on the conclusion of the protocol.

Additional resources for the most vulnerable population in Sudan

The Council adopted a decision allocating EUR 150 million from the funds decommitted from the

ninth and previous European Development Funds (EDF) for the purpose of addressing the needs of

the most vulnerable population in Sudan (10543/10). The funds will be used in particular in the

conflict-affected areas, including Darfur, South Sudan, East Sudan and the border regions between

North and South Sudan (the Transitional Areas). The government of Sudan's decision not to ratify

the revised Cotonou agreement had made it legally impossible for the EU to channel development

assistance to Sudan through the tenth EDF. The funding complements ongoing EU development

and humanitarian programmes in Sudan, including over EUR 500 million in development assistance

committed since 2005 and over EUR 750 million in humanitarian assistance since 2003.

Arms Trade Treaty -

Council conclusions

The Council adopted the conclusions set out in document

10047/10.

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JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS

12.VII.2010

Development of the Schengen acquis - Participation of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and

Switzerland

The Council approved the signing of arrangement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and

Switzerland on the participation by those countries in the committees which assist the European

Commission in the exercise of its executive powers as regards the implementation, application and

development of the "Schengen

acquis"

(7762/10).

Review of the EU measures to combat terrorism

After the most recent review, the Council updated the list of persons, groups and entities subject to

specific measures to combat terrorism as defined by Common Position 2001/CFSP/931 and

Regulation (EC) No 2580/2001. The Council decided that there are no longer grounds for keeping

certain entities on the above-mentioned list.

The specific measures include enhanced police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters and the

freezing of all funds, other financial assets and economic resources belonging to the persons, groups

and entities concerned.

European Investigation Order

The Council took note of an initiative from seven member states for a directive creating a European

Investigation Order (EIO) in criminal matters (9288/10 +

ADD 1

ADD 2

ADD 3).

The EIO is designed to be a judicial decision issued by a competent authority of a member state in

order to have one or several specific investigative measure(s) carried out in another member state.

The goal is to gather evidence within the framework of various types of proceedings, including

criminal proceedings. Member states which receive an EIO are expected to execute it on the basis

of the principle of mutual recognition.

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Divorce and legal separation - first EU enhanced cooperation

12.VII.2010

The Council adopted a decision authorising the first enhanced cooperation in the history of the EU.

It concerns the law applicable to divorce and legal separation (Rome III)

(9898/2/10).

14 member

states will participate in the enhanced cooperation (Spain, Italy, Hungary, Luxembourg, Austria,

Romania, Slovenia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Belgium, Latvia, Malta and Portugal). Other EU

member states who are not yet ready but wish to join this pioneer group at a later stage will be able

to do so.

The content of the legislation will be specified in a separate legal text, a regulation implementing

the enhanced cooperation. Its goal is to set clear rules on how international couples can seek divorce

or legal separation in the participating countries.

The regulation will need to be adopted unanimously by the participating countries. At their latest

meeting on 4 June 2010, justice ministers agreed on a general approach on key elements

(10153/10).

RESEARCH

ITER experimental fusion reactor project

The Council approved guidance for the Commission with a view to a meeting of the council of the

ITER International Fusion Energy Organization that will take place in Cadarache (France) on

27 and 28 July.

Baltic Sea research project: "BONUS-169 programme"

The Council adopted a decision approving Community participation in a research project in the

Baltic Sea ("BONUS-169 programme") undertaken by several EU countries (21/10 and

11705/10

ADD1).

The decision follows a first reading agreement with the European Parliament.

BONUS-169 is a joint research programme undertaken by eight EU Baltic Sea member states

(Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden) in support of

sustainable development of the Baltic Sea region.

The EU will contribute up to EUR 50 million for the whole duration of the project.

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12.VII.2010

Its main objective is to provide an effective response to key challenges in the region in relation to

environmental protection and sustainable development, tourism, aquaculture, food safety, maritime

transport and socio-economic issues.

BONUS-169, which is in line with the objectives of the European strategy for maritime research

and the Union's strategy for the Baltic Sea region, is to be considered as a pilot for other similar

regional initiatives.

TRANSPORT

EU/Brazil agreements on air services and aviation safety

The Council adopted decisions approving the signing of agreements with Brazil on certain aspects

of air services

(12922/5/09)

and on civil aviation safety

(10844/10).

Both agreements are to be signed at the EU-Brazil Summit in Brasilia on 14 July.

ENERGY

EU/Australia agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy

The Council adopted a decision authorising the negotiation by the Commission of an agreement

with Australia on cooperation in the peaceful uses of atomic energy.

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DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEMBER STATES

Appointment of judges to the General Court of the European Union

12.VII.2010

On 8 July, the representatives of the governments of the member states appointed the following two

members of the General Court of the European Union (the former Court of First Instance) for a

further term of office from 1 September 2010 to 31 August 2016:

Mr Ottó CZÚCZ

Mr Marc van der WOUDE.

This follows a decision of the representatives of the governments of the member states taken on

23 June 2010 to reappoint the following ten members of the General Court of the European Union

for the same period:

Mr Josef AZIZI

Mr Franklin DEHOUSSE

Mr Sten FRIMODT NIELSEN

Mr Marc JAEGER

Ms Küllike JÜRIMÄE

Mr Heikki KANNINEN

Ms Eugénia MARTINS DE NAZARÉ RIBEIRO

Mr Savvas S. PAPASAVVAS

Mr Juraj SCHWARCZ

Ms Irena WISZNIEWSKA-BIAŁECKA.

The General Court is made up of at least one judge from each member state. They are appointed for

a term of office of six years, which is renewable. They appoint their president, for a period of three

years, from amongst themselves.

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