EU Agriculture Ministers to Focus on Finalisation of Negotiations on CAP Reform

20 Sep 2013 --- During the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on September 23 the Lithuanian Presidency aims to receive clear guidance from Member States on a possible alignment of positions with the European Parliament in order to finalise the deal on the CAP reform package.

During the meeting Lithuanian Minister of Agriculture, Prof. Vigilijus Jukna, will present the state of play in negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform package. The Council will be debriefed on the results of the trilogue with the European Parliament held on September 17. The trilogue focused on the unresolved issues related to the multiannual financial framework 2014–2020 (MFF).

During the Informal Council meeting held in Vilnius September 8–10 both the Presidency and the Member States expressed the opinion that it is important to stick to the political agreement on CAP reform that was reached in June.

“The Lithuanian Presidency does not intend to reopen political discussions on the main elements of the Common Agricultural Policy reform and has a very limited mandate (echoing European Council Conclusions) for negotiations on multiannual financial framework related issues (capping, flexibility on transferring funds between pillars and other). However, we hope to settle all outstanding issues with the European Parliament during September,” noted Minister V. Jukna.

Other important issues will be presented during the Council meeting. The Commission will inform delegations on the latest developments from the bilateral and multinational trade negotiations in the agricultural sector. The Commission will present its communication on a new EU Forestry strategy which should update and replace the existing EU Forestry strategy adopted in 1998. At the request of the other delegations, the Presidency intends to raise a question on the African Swine Fever – threat of spreading the disease into the EU territory and need for coordinated action by the Transparency of the Trade Control and Expert System – data on live animals.