Written Ministerial Statement by Hilary Benn: Agriculture and Fisheries Council 23/24 June 2008 — 24 June 2008
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Hilary Benn)
I and my honourable friend the Minister for Marine, Landscape & Rural Affairs (Jonathan Shaw) will be representing the United Kingdom at this month’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg. The three Devolved Administration Ministers Richard Lochead, Elin Jones and Michelle Gildernew will also be attending.
There is only one substantive item for discussion on this month’s agenda relating to Agriculture, which concerns the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check. The codecision proposal updating the rules on placing plant protection products on the market will be adopted by the Council without need for further discussion (as an ‘A’ point).
A revision of the 2004 cotton reforms will also be adopted as an ‘A’ point. We shall be voting against this proposal which we feel is insufficiently ambitious at a time of further CAP reform.
With regard to Fisheries, the Council is due to agree the proposal on Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing. A further proposal for Fishing Authorisations is also due to be agreed. In addition, there will be a discussion on the Mauritania fishery agreement but no adoption as the opinion of the European Parliament is still awaited.
The following issues will be raised under any other business:
The Agriculture Commissioner will provide the usual update on the WTO-DDA negotiations.
France will be tabling a memorandum for higher standards for imports of food products into the EU.
Belgium will be raising four issues relating to the high price of animal feed, the state aid de minimis rules, BSE testing and Bluetongue.
Latvia will be tabling a point on border veterinary controls.
The Presidency will present an introductory paper and there will be a substantive paper agreed by France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Malta for discussion on the effects of fuel price increases on the fishing industry.
Page published: 24 June 2008