Agriculture
Market situation, in particular following the invasion of Ukraine
Based on information provided by the Commission and member states, ministers took stock of the market situation for agricultural products in the EU, both in terms of its overall condition and challenges facing particular sectors and regions.
Topics touched upon during the discussion included the impact of agricultural imports from Ukraine on farmers in neighbouring EU countries, the continuing high prices of inputs such as energy, feed and fertilisers, the effect of high food price inflation on consumers, especially those on low incomes, and the potential consequences of the recent European Court of Justice ruling on the use of neonicotinoids. Commissioner Wojciechowski also updated ministers on the Commission's proposal to provide support via the agricultural reserve to farmers in Bulgaria, Romania and Poland who have been impacted by imports of cereal, rapeseed and sunflower products from Ukraine.
During the exchange of views, ministers also received information from the Commission on the report produced in January by the European Pigmeat Reflection Group, the recommendations of which were positively received, and from the Latvian and Lithuanian delegations on the challenges facing the dairy industry in the Baltic region.
- Market situation in particular following the invasion of Ukraine
- European Pigmeat Reflection Group report
- Information from the Commission on the EPRG report
- Critical situation in the dairy sector – information from the Latvian and Lithuanian delegations
Trade-related agricultural issues
Agriculture ministers discussed the current situation of international agricultural markets, focusing on the latest data on imports and exports, relations with key trading partners and ongoing negotiations on trade agreements.
Ministers agreed that the EU's agriculture sector remained very competitive on the global market and had proven resilient in the face of recent crises such as Covid-19 and the ongoing war in Ukraine, but stressed the need for continued protection of sensitive sectors in order to maintain the EU's self-sufficiency. They expressed support for ongoing negotiations on trade agreements while acknowledging the need to promote sustainable agriculture in the EU and globally.
During the discussion, Austria provided information about the agricultural aspects of the free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay).
Other business
During the day, under other business, ministers received information on the future of the EU-Morocco SFPA protocol, farming and forestry aspects of the nature restoration law, and the Commission's communication on a new deal for pollinators.
- Commission proposal for a regulation on nature restoration
- The nature restoration law: information from the presidency
- Revision of the EU Pollinators Initiative: A new deal for pollinators
'A' items
The EU's priorities for the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
The Council approved conclusions setting out its priorities for the work of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), with the focus on driving the transition to a sustainable food system and achieving food security for all. Ministers reaffirmed the EU's commitment to responding to the global food crisis and urged the FAO to intensify its efforts to monitor and address the impact of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine on food security, particularly in the most vulnerable countries.
- A sustainable future and food security for all: EU countries outline their priorities for the FAO (press release, 20 March 2023)
- Council Conclusions on the EU's priorities for an effective UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Agriculture ministers also endorsed updated EU guidelines for the G20 Agriculture Ministers' meeting that will take place on 15–17 June 2023 in Hyderabad, India.
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the list of non-legislative “A” items
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