Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Ministers discuss fishing opportunities for 2024

Fisheries

Annual fisheries consultations for 2024

Ministers exchanged views on the management of shared fishing stocks with the United Kingdom for 2024, which are the subject to annual bilateral negotiations. Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, consultations between the EU and the UK on shared fish stocks are held annually, in line with the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. These consultations will take place between October and the beginning of December. During the Council meeting, ministers welcomed the timely delivery of the Commission’s proposal for the EU’s position in the fishing opportunities consultations, key to today’s rich and constructive debate.

Ministers also exchanged views on the annual consultations with Norway, which have undergone major changes since Brexit, with six stocks being managed trilaterally by the EU, Norway and the UK. Ministers also discussed the consultations with coastal states.

During today’s meeting, ministers stressed that social, economic and environmental sustainability should be taken into account, together with the best scientific advice, as a basis for upcoming discussions. They also outlined their national priorities for the different consultations, thus providing the Commission with political guidance for the EU’s positions.

Agriculture

Directive on soil health

EU agriculture ministers publicly discussed the agricultural aspects of the proposed directive on soil monitoring and resilience, based on information provided by the Commission.

The ministers welcomed the proposal and the objective of improving the sustainability of soil management in the EU. During their discussion, they highlighted the importance of the directive for the agricultural sector, stressing that it can help reduce the costs of soil degradation and the loss in productivity linked to soil erosion. Additionally, ministers mentioned that it would be necessary to take into account the different types of geographical and climate-related features of member states, as well as the specificities of the various agricultural sectors in the EU. Some ministers pointed out that the administrative costs of the proposal would have to be further analysed.

The proposed directive was published by the Commission on 5 July 2023 and is in line with the EU soil strategy, which aims for all EU soil ecosystems to be in good condition by 2050. The proposal on soil health provides a definition of what constitutes a healthy soil and establishes measures for monitoring and evaluating soil health, sustainable soil management and remediation of contaminated sites. The Environment configuration of the Council is responsible for examining it.

Infografía – Las cuotas de pesca tras el Brexit

Trade-related agricultural issues

During their discussions, ministers addressed the current situation of international agricultural markets, focusing on the current state of trade flows of agri-food products. They also discussed negotiations conducted by the European Commission for new FTAs, including with Mercosur and Australia. As far as Australia is concerned, they pointed out that the EU’s agricultural market access offer already on the table is substantive and commercially meaningful, expressing reluctance to additional concessions. However, ministers reiterated their general support for ongoing negotiations on trade agreements, while highlighting the need to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure that environmental ambitions are respected.

In addition, the Council addressed other developments on the multilateral front and discussed agri-food trade with the EU’s main trading partners.

Ministers further took stock of the current trade-related agricultural issues, in light of the impact of recent developments linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine. In this regard, the Council reiterated its full support for Ukraine, and the Commission informed member states about the expiry, on 15 September 2023, of the safeguard measures for Ukrainian imports that applied in the five frontline member states. The Commission explained that thanks to the work of the coordination platform with Ukraine and the solidarity lanes, the market distortions in these five countries had been resolved.

The majority of member states welcomed the expiry of the safeguard measures, once it was noted that market disturbances had normalised, and considering Ukraine’s commitment to introduce measures to avoid future market distortions. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the single market.

The Council concluded that it is necessary to continue monitoring the situation.

A long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas (LTVRA): shaping the future of the EU’s rural areas

During a public session, the Spanish presidency invited ministers to hold a debate on the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas. Ministers discussed the challenges that these areas are currently facing, as well as potential opportunities available to them.

The goal of the exchange was to provide political guidance, as well as suggestions and appropriate actions for the way forward. The upcoming high-level rural policy forum on shaping the future of rural areas, organised by the Spanish presidency and the European Commission, which will be held in Sigüenza (Spain) at the end of this month (27-29 September), will also provide input for this process.

At a future Council meeting, the Spanish presidency intends to propose that the Council approves conclusions on this important topic. The ministers’ political exchange will prepare the ground for this.

More information: Council of the EU