Fisheries
2023 fishing opportunities
After two days of negotiations, agriculture and fisheries ministers reached a political agreement on fishing opportunities for 2023, taking into account the best available scientific advice, while respecting the aims of the common fisheries policy (CFP), and the EU's multiannual plans for various sea basins.
We have proved that the Council is determined to preserve and restore fish stocks at sustainable levels, and at the same time to protect the future of communities which depend on fishing.
Zdeněk Nekula, Czech Minister of Agriculture
This agreement sets catch limits for over 200 commercial fish stocks in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean and Black Sea, as well as for some deep-sea stocks for 2023 and 2024. On shared fish stocks with the UK, ministers agreed to set provisional quotas for the first three months of 2023, seeing as bilateral EU-UK and EU-NO consultations on shared fish stocks are still on-going. These provisional catch limits include a temporary roll-over of the existing fishing opportunities for the first three months with a 25% ratio to the TAC levels of this year, to cover the first quarter of 2023. For some fisheries where fishing takes place mainly in the first part of the year, this seasonality has been taken into account. This will ensure continuity for fishermen and sustainable fishing in the relevant areas, pending an agreement between the EU and the UK. Ministers agreed on a similar approach for stocks co-managed with Norway.
- Council approves fishing opportunities for 2023 in EU and non-EU waters (press release, 13 December 2022)
- Management of the EU's fish stocks (background information)
- How fishing rights are agreed following Brexit (feature story)
Agriculture
Market situation, particularly in light of the Russian war against Ukraine
Ministers took stock of the market situation in member states, more particularly in light of Russia's war against Ukraine, which is putting unprecedented pressure and uncertainty on farmers and world markets. They reiterated the impact of the war on all sectors, with producers facing significant increases in energy and fuel prices, as well as many logistical challenges. Ministers further emphasized the critical situation concerning the affordability of fertilisers, and the impact this might have on overall prospects for harvest next year, with many farmers likely to reduce their use of fertilizer. Ministers additionally exchanged views on the possibility of using the agricultural reserve for 2023, and stressed the impact of high food prices on consumers.
- Market situation in particular following the invasion of Ukraine - Information from the Commission - Exchange of views
- Food for the world: what EU countries are doing to mitigate the impact of Russia's war (feature story)
- Food security and affordability (background information)
- Impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the markets: EU response (background information)
CAP strategic plans
Ministers exchanged views on the strategic plans included in the common agricultural policy (CAP), particularly in the context of Russia's war in Ukraine and the challenges this is posing for the farming sector. Ministers stated their respective readiness to implement national plans comes January 2023, with the first year likely to be particularly challenging, especially in terms of setting up control systems and ensuring proper implementation.
In January we will start implementing the new common agriculture policy. Russian invasion to Ukraine had a disruptive effect on our farmers in the EU. I am glad we had a sincere discussion on the state of play and the possible need to adjust the strategic plans to reflect a new reality.
Zdeněk Nekula , Czech Minister of Agriculture
- Strategic Plans: current situation and new challenges
- Common agricultural policy (background information)
Animal welfare
Ministers publicly discussed the evaluation of the current animal welfare legislation and stressed the need to revise the current legislation as soon as possible, to protect animal welfare and adopt a harmonized approach at EU level. Ministers moreover voiced their main priorities regarding the revision of the legislation and emphasized that this revised proposal would also ensure fairer competition for farmers and other food business operators in the member states.
- Evaluation of the EU animal welfare legislation (Fitness check) - Information from the Presidency and Commission - Exchange of views
- Council conclusions on animal welfare - an integral part of sustainable animal production (16 December 2019)
- Council conclusions on animal welfare during maritime long distances transport to third countries (28 June 2021)
Other business
Ministers discussed multiannual fishing quotas and their importance in ensuring predictability for fishermen, as well as for the sustainability of stocks. They were moreover informed by the presidency on the state of play of the regulation on geographical indications and quality schemes across the EU and exchanged views on the regulation for the sustainable use of pesticide directive. They further discussed front of pack and sustainable food labelling.
- Establishment of multiannual quotas - Note by the French, Portuguese and Spanish Delegations
- Regulation on geographical indications and quality schemes – state of play - Information from the Presidency
- Conference on harmonized front of pack labelling and its impact on sustainable food labelling (Brussels, 10 November 2022) - Information from the Presidency
The Council also adopted, without discussion, the items on the list of non-legislative A items.
