Agriculture
Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy
The main item on the agenda for this month's Council meeting was the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform. The Portuguese presidency asked ministers to accept the provisional agreement on the main political issues reached with the European Parliament during inter-institutional negotiations on Thursday and Friday.
Following a discussion of some of the main points, including environmental measures and the social dimension of the CAP, ministers accepted the provisional deal reached with the Parliament on the three regulations that make up the CAP reform package. Further technical work will now be carried out to finalise the legal texts, following which MEPs will be invited to vote on the reform package. The reform will then enter into EU law upon its adoption by the Council.
Today we have agreed the most ambitious CAP to date. This is a good deal for farmers and for Europe, which will strengthen the European agri-food system, making it more sustainable and fairer for everyone. The agreement provides for a modernised CAP that supports the transition to greener and more climate-friendly farming, increases respect for social and labour rights, and ensures that farmers remain competitive without leaving anyone behind.
Maria do Céu Antunes, Portuguese Minister for Agriculture
Biological control agents
Ministers submitted a request to the Commission for a study on the situation in the EU regarding the introduction, evaluation, production, marketing and use of biological control agents. They also invited the Commission to put forward a proposal on possible measures if necessary in view of the result of the study.
Biological control agents (BCAs) are a sustainable form of plant pest control that can provide an alternative to the use of chemical products. Nevertheless, there are currently significant differences among member states in terms of their approach to the assessment, use and placing on the market of BCAs. A more harmonised EU framework could therefore increase the availability and guarantee the safe use of this form of pest control.
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