Brussels, 24 March 2025
Agriculture
Vision for agriculture and food
The Council exchanged views on the vision for agriculture and food, following a presentation by the European Commission.
Overall, member states welcomed the vision, and in particular its emphasis on agriculture as a strategic sector and the importance of promoting farming as a career choice for future generations. The Council also welcomed the focus on competitiveness and on ensuring decent and fair incomes for farmers.
We fully support the goals outlined in the vision for agriculture and food, particularly the emphasis on making the agrifood sector more competitive, resilient and attractive for generations of farmers to come. It is now time to turn this vision into reality. To achieve that objective, we need an appropriate and separate budget for the common agricultural policy that is based on two pillars. The Council is fully committed to moving this important work forward. In addition to discussions at the ministerial level, we would also like to have an intensive dialogue with farmers’ organisations – nothing about agriculture without farmers.
Czesław Siekierski, Polish Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development
During their discussion, ministers stressed the need for the common agricultural policy to have an appropriate and separate budget based on two pillars, as well as the importance of continued support for rural areas. Several ministers also highlighted the importance of avoiding unfair competition in the context of international trade. The need to combat unfair trading practices was also mentioned.
Furthermore, the Council generally agreed on the importance of cutting red tape and simplifying policies. Stepping up innovation and promoting new technologies for the agrifood sector, as well as ensuring a balance between environmental, social and economic sustainability, were also highlighted as crucial priorities. In this regard, several ministers welcomed a more incentive-based approach to promote the transition towards sustainable agriculture.
While delegations shared some ideas on possible new sources of income for farmers, including those derived from the bioeconomy, many ministers underscored the need for the CAP to ensure a basic income for farmers.
The vision was published by the Commission on 19 February 2025 and focuses on four priority areas: ensuring that farming is attractive for future generations, that the agrifood sector is competitive and resilient, that the sector is future-proof, and that it fosters fair living and working conditions in rural areas.
- Presidency background note
- Communication on a vision for agriculture and food (Commission communication)
Fisheries
Informal lunch on the future of the common fisheries policy
Over the course of an informal lunch, fisheries ministers discussed the future of the common fisheries policy (CFP).
The informal lunch took place against the backdrop of the ongoing evaluation of the CFP, and in light of the European Commission’s broader simplification objectives. Ministers also discussed the upcoming European ocean pact as part of the broader vision for resilient, competitive and sustainable European fisheries and aquaculture with a 2040 perspective.
- Common fisheries policy and its goals (background information)
- Commission opens public consultation on the common fisheries policy regulation (Commission press release, 27 January 2025)
Other business
Under ‘other business’, the following topics were raised:
- The high-level conference entitled ‘Common agricultural policy for food security’, which took place in Warsaw on 5 March 2025 (information from the presidency)
- The eligibility of expenses related to the purchase of breeding animals within the CAP strategic plans (information from the Romanian delegation)
- Issues with the implementation of the provisions of Article 14 of the fisheries control regulation for the permitted margin of tolerance (MOT) applied to unsorted landings of small pelagic fisheries (information from the Latvian and Lithuanian delegations)
- Future support for EU fisheries (information from the Netherlands, supported by the Belgian, Cyprus, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Portuguese, Romanian and Spanish delegations)
- The launch of the EU-wide communication campaign on aquaculture (information from the Commission)
- Outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Hungary (information from the Hungarian delegation)
Watch the recording of the public sessions
- Morning session
- Afternoon session
- Watch the recording of the press conference
- Food and farming (background information)
Preparatory documents
- Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities
- Provisional list of A items, legislative deliberations
- Provisional list of A items
- Provisional agenda
- Background brief
Outcome documents
Press releases
- European Peace Facility: Council adopts third assistance measure in support of the Armed Forces of Mauritania
- Council adopts financial benchmarks regulation to ease burden on SMEs
- Labour market statistics on businesses: Council adopts new regulation
Source – EU Council
Opening Remarks by Commissioner Kadis at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Future support to the Aquaculture and Fisheries sector
Brussels, 24 March 2025
“Check against delivery”
Dear President [dear Jacek], dear Ministers
Thank you for raising the issue of financial support for EU fisheries. This is an important topic on which we regularly engage with you bilaterally, as we listen to the challenges faced by your fisheries and aquaculture sectors and work to identify the best possible solutions within the existing legal framework.
While the absorption of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund is still low (commitment rate at 24% and expenditure rate at 6% by end 2024), the Commission is working closely with you to advance implementation, and we are expecting progress in 2025. But let me just note that this is not unprecedented, as we witnessed similarities in previous programming periods. Some of the reasons are the late adoption of relevant national rules, selection criteria and publication of calls.
To tackle this currently still low financial implementation, in addition to speeding up the call procedures, tangible solutions can already be taken, such as:
- increasing the national contributions of EMFAF funding,
- using fully fleet capacity ceiling margins,
- mobilising all opportunities to finance energy transition with existing rules.
Other options that merit consideration include further use of financial instruments and opportunities under the State aid rules.
In addition, it is also important to engage in strategic national dialogues with the sectors to address the industry’s – and specifically fleet’s – challenges and opportunities to ensure a profitable business model for our fisheries. I am ready to support you in this endeavour, also through the implementation dialogues that I will hold.
When it comes to the future support post-2027, the recent Commission Communication on ‘The road to the next MFF’ clearly indicates a growing expectation for the EU to act. At the same time it is clear that choices will need to be made. The EU must maximise the impact of every euro it spends, focusing on EU priorities and objectives where EU action is most needed. The Common Fisheries Policy is one of the only 5 exclusive competence policies of the Union. I agree that our policy should continue to receive financial support for its implementation, including its external dimension.
Last February’s Commission communication on the road to the next MFF, recognised that “Farmers, fishers and rural areas are increasingly affected by unfair global competition, higher energy prices, a lack of younger farmers and fishers and difficulties in accessing capital”.
Now specifically on the need for modernisation and the decarbonisation of the fishing fleet, this issue will be addressed in the framework of the evaluation of the common fisheries policy regulation and the forthcoming energy transition roadmap. Based on the results of these exercises we will develop respective measures to support the modernisation and the decarbonisation and of the fishing fleet in EU.
But financing the CFP alone, without bridging the gaps around it, will not allow us to meet its objectives. We need also to ensure support for areas like research, data and knowledge building, maritime spatial planning to bridge the gaps between shared and exclusive competences to allow our policies for the ocean and the CFP to bring real change on the ground.
Looking ahead, the preparation of the next long-term budget is an ongoing process opportunity to develop a new modern and reinforced EU budget.
The Commission intends to present the next financial framework in July 2025, after a series of extensive consultations with Member States and other stakeholders.
I am looking forward to constructive exchanges with you on our shared objective to ensure that our fisheries and aquaculture sectors become more resilient, sustainable and competitive in the global market and that our blue economy and blue technology continue supporting EU’s competitiveness, security, and strategic autonomy.
Thank you.
Source – EU Commission
Opening Remarks by Commissioner Kadis at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Implementation of the provisions of Article 14 of the Fisheries Control regulation
Brussels, 24 March 2025
“Check against delivery”
Dear President [dear Jacek], Ministers,
The misreporting of unregulated (“non quota”) species in significant quantities was a key reason that led the co-legislators to decide on phasing out the lenient Margin of Tolerance in the Baltic Sea. This decision was made through the revision of the Control Regulation, not even two years ago. I have listened carefully to the issues raised by Latvia, and supported by other Member States, and would like to emphasise the following:
Since early 2024, my services have had several exchanges with Latvia to understand the issues on reporting catches of unregulated species and the implementation of the derogation to the margin of tolerance.
Today I had also the opportunity to discuss this issue with the Latvian Minister.
I have heard calls to amend the fisheries Control Regulation to accommodate a solution to the Margin of Tolerance for unregulated species, and to propose secondary legislation that would ensure that serious infringements do not apply in the case of misreporting of unregulated species.
The Commission considers that a solution can be sought within the framework of the recently revised fisheries Control Regulation, rather than by amending it. And we stand ready to support Member States in that respect.
The listing of ports in Latvia, in particular, should be further explored, and I welcome the fruitful exchanges that have taken place at services level to that effect.
Additionally, it would be also crucial that the national authorities support fishers so that they improve their estimation of catches on board. This is an important adaptation process to the new rules on the margin of tolerance in the Baltic.
Concerning the use of secondary legislation: the legal empowerment provided to the Commission by the co-legislators in the Regulation is clear. It does not allow for modification of the Control Regulation’s rules on the derogation to the margin of tolerance. An amendment to the rules on sanctioning infringements does not appear to be a practical solution to the issue raised by Latvia and Lithuania at this stage.
I aslo have heard calls for simplification.
Let me underline that the revised control regulation modernises various provisions and incorporates essential digitalisation in the fisheries control framework, which is a great source of simplification both for operators and for national authorities. In addition, the Commission priority in preparing the implementing rules for the Regulation is also to ensure they are developed with a strong focus on maximizing simplification and avoiding excessive regulation.
Let me finish by underlining that the Commission remains open to further look with Latvia into potential solutions. To do so, it would be very important that our services analyse recent catch data to provide us with a clearer understanding of the issue at stake and to be able to explore possible solutions. This is what I have asked from the Latvian minister today, and I hope we will receive this information in order to explore these possible solutions.
We stand ready to discuss with our Latvian counterparts on that basis.
Source – EU Commission
Opening Remarks by Commissioner Kadis at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Launch of the EU-wide Communication Campaign on Aquaculture
Brussels, 24 Mrch 2025
“Check against delivery”
Dear President, Ministers,
First, let me thank all Member States that have actively contributed to the preparation of the communication campaign on aquaculture whose motto is: “EU aquaculture: we work for you with passion”. I’d like to particularly thank those Member States that were members of the dedicated task force together with the Aquaculture Advisory Council.
The growth of EU aquaculture and its competitiveness rely largely on social acceptance and the recognition of the benefits and value of aquaculture activities and EU aquaculture products.
Communicating on EU aquaculture is therefore crucially important, and this campaign is one of the key actions to ensure effective implementation of the strategic guidelines on aquaculture that the Commission adopted in 2021.
While EU citizens regularly consume aquaculture products, a negative perception of aquaculture activities by stakeholders, notably at local level, is often an obstacle to the licensing and establishment of new aquaculture facilities.
This is why it is so important to increase the awareness of EU citizens on the benefits of aquaculture, such as:
- supplying local, low-carbon and healthy food, complementing the supply by fisheries;
- creating jobs in coastal and rural communities, including the most remote ones; and,
- in the case of certain types of aquaculture, such as extensive fish farming in ponds, and farming of bivalve molluscs and algae, providing benefits to the environment and helping mitigate the impacts of climate change.
It is also important to inform EU citizens about the strict regulations that govern aquaculture activities in the Member States. This may help dispelling misperceptions about aquaculture’s impact on the environment, food safety, and animal health and welfare.
The campaign focuses on the “human aspect”, showing dedicated EU aquaculture producers and how they contribute to providing healthy and local food as well as to creating jobs, maintaining traditions, and introducing innovation in the communities where they work.
Let me stress that the real success of this campaign depends on its dissemination at the national level. This will ensure that we reach out to as many citizens as possible.
I therefore count on your support to make this campaign a national one too.
The Commission will launch the campaign at an event that I will host tomorrow morning. I am looking forward to welcoming some of you to this event, which will also see participation of representatives of other EU institutions, aquaculture producers, retailers and other interest groups. The event will be web-streamed, so I encourage all of you to publicise it as widely as possible.
I take the opportunity to thank the Member States that have already been in contact with us to prepare the dissemination of the campaign at national level. I very much encourage others to do the same.
My team and my services remain at your disposal to assist you in this regard. Aquaculture producers work for us with passion. I count on all of you to share our commitment and our passion to make this campaign a success.
Thank you.
Source – EU Commission