Luxembourg, 23 October 2023
Market situation, in particular following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
EU agriculture ministers discussed the situation of agricultural markets and commodities and took note of information provided by the Commission on the short-term outlook for agricultural markets.
The Council furthermore took note of information provided by member states on the market situation, also considering the current geopolitical context, and of their views on future challenges to be anticipated in the short and medium term.
The consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, adverse weather conditions in certain regions, high energy prices and a global decrease in purchasing power continue to represent challenges to agricultural markets. Ministers also noted that other factors, including the spread of animal diseases and food price inflation, continue to put pressure on this sector.
Ministers moreover exchanged views on ways of enhancing the flexibility of the CAP strategic plans, to ensure they can respond effectively to future challenges. During the discussions, ministers pointed out that it is necessary to explore new mechanisms and instruments to address potential large scale future crises, in the current geopolitical context and in view of the adverse effects of climate change.
The presidency highlighted the role that agriculture has in ensuring food security, and stressed that this strategic sector must have the appropriate instruments at its disposal in order to ensure that it can adapt to extraordinary circumstances.
The Ukrainian Minister for Agrarian Policy and Food, Mykola Solskyi, also joined the meeting to provide EU member states with an overview of recent developments in Ukraine’s agricultural sector. Mr Solskyi provided information on exports of Ukrainian agricultural products to the EU, and on how the EU could further support his country, not only by facilitating the export of Ukrainian products to the EU and to world markets, but also on the ground, in Ukraine.
The presidency agreed with the Commission on the importance of enhancing solidarity lanes, and of finding alternative routes with lower logistical costs.
Infographic – How the Russian invasion of Ukraine has further aggravated the global food crisis: See full infographic
Agriculture
Today’s discussion shows once more that largely thanks to the CAP, the EU’s agricultural sector is able to provide food security for EU citizens. At the same time, we are supporting our Ukrainian neighbours and helping Ukraine export its grain to the countries around the world that need it most. The presence of the Ukrainian minister, Mykola Solskyi, who addressed us earlier today, is a testament to our ongoing commitment towards his country.
Luis Planas Puchades, Acting Spanish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
- Food security and affordability (background information)
- Market situation, in particular following the invasion of Ukraine (background document)
Waste framework directive – food-related aspects
Ministers publicly discussed the food-related aspects of the proposal amending the waste framework directive, presented by the Commission on 5 July 2023.
This point was included by the Spanish presidency due to its importance for the agrifood sector and in view of the Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving global food waste by 2030, as well as of reducing food waste in the production and supply chains. The Environment configuration of the Council has overall responsibility for examining the proposal. Given its relevance to the agrifood sector and food chains, during today’s meeting, agriculture ministers discussed the food-related aspects of the proposal, also in the light of its potential to contribute to food security.
The Council welcomed the proposal and its intended goals and reaffirmed its commitment to reducing food waste, seen as one of the biggest sources of inefficiency in the food chain. During their exchange of views, ministers discussed the tools that are best suited to help achieve the proposal’s goals of reducing and preventing food waste.
- Waste framework Directive – Food-related aspects (information from the presidency and the Commission)
- Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste (Commission proposal)
- Infographic – Food waste: prevent, reuse and recycle: See full infographic
Other business
Under “Other business”, the Council received information from the Czech delegation on the outcome of the Visegrád group meeting of the ministers responsible for agriculture, which focused on the current situation of agricultural markets and on forestry-related policies at the EU level.
Additionally, the Council received information from the Croatian and Slovenian delegations on crisis management and financial support mechanisms, while the Lithuanian delegation informed ministers about support and prospects for organic farming. The Italian delegation also provided information on the Commission’s draft work programme for 2024 the EU’s promotion policy for agri-food products.
During a public session, the presidency provided the Council with updated information regarding the agricultural and forestry aspects of the proposal on the certification of carbon removals.
Also in public session, the Polish delegation informed ministers on the impact of the EU’s emissions trading system on the agricultural sector. Additionally, the Austrian delegation informed the Council on the challenges facing the farming sector, including the current geopolitical context and Russia’s war of aggression and the need to strike a balance between achieving our environmental goals and ensuring food security.
- Outcome of the V4 meeting of the ministers responsible for agriculture (information from the Czech delegation on behalf of the Czech, Hungarian, Polish and Slovak delegations)
- The establishment of an efficient, flexible and simple “ad hoc” financial support mechanism in case of crisis (information from the Croatian and Slovenian delegations supported by the Bulgarian, Cyprus, Greek, Hungarian, Maltese and Portuguese delegations)
- Prospects of organic farming (information from the Lithuanian delegation, supported by the Bulgarian, Croatian, Cyprus, Czech, Danish, Finnish, Hungarian, Latvian, Maltese, Romanian and Swedish delegations)
- Commission’s draft 2024 Work Programme for the EU’s promotion policy for agri-food products (information from the Italian delegation)
- Regulation on the certification of carbon removals: agricultural and forestry aspects – state of play (information from the presidency)
- Impact of the EU carbon market on the agricultural sector and the agri-food industry (information from the Polish delegation)
- A new deal for farmers – how to tackle the current challenges for the EU farming sector (information from the Austrian delegation)
Agenda for the Fisheries Council on 24 October 2023
ICCAT 2023
Ministers exchanged views with the aim of providing the Commission with guidance on the position to be taken by the EU at this year’s annual meeting of theInternational Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas(ICCAT), which will be held on 13-20 November 2023.
The agenda of this year’s annual meeting includes a wide range of issues including tropical tuna species, blue shark, bluefin tuna, and control and enforcement measures.
Within the Council, work will continue at technical level with the aim of agreeing on the EU’s position ahead of the meeting.
- International agreements on fisheries (background information)
- Infographic – Setting catch limits and quotas: See full infographic
Fishing opportunities for 2024 in the Baltic Sea
Ministers will aim to reach a political agreement on next year’s fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea.
Meeting information
Meeting n°3977
Luxembourg
23-24 October 2023
Preparatory documents
- Provisional agenda
- List of A items, legislative deliberations
- List of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 1
- Background brief
Outcome documents
Press releases
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23 October 2023, 12:28
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23 October 2023, 12:24
Council adopts legislation that makes it safer to contract financial services online or by phone
23 October 2023, 12:22