(The Minister of State
for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food): Agriculture
and Fisheries Council took place in Brussels on 17, 18 and 19
November. The UK was represented by , Parliamentary
Under Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity, and
Lords Minister.
On fisheries, the focus of the Council was EU quota negotiations,
involving decisions on fishing opportunities for the next year
for quota stocks in the North Sea, Atlantic, the English Channel,
Irish and Celtic Seas. Fishing opportunities are set under the
rules of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, which aims to have
all stocks fished at sustainable levels by 2020 at the latest.
Prior to the Council, a number of negotiations had taken place
with third countries, such as EU-Norway, which set fishing
opportunities for certain stocks. The EU share of these
opportunities were endorsed at the Council.
This year’s discussions were challenging for all member states
given scientific advice on quota, which included a recommendation
of zero total allowable catch (TAC) for five key species for UK
fishermen, and the full implementation of the Landing Obligation
from 1 Jan 2019 – a requirement to cut the wasteful discarding of
fish.
The agreed deal ensures that there are now workable solutions to
alleviate the risk of choke closing economically important mixed
fisheries while also preventing fish from being wastefully
discarded unnecessarily. The agreement also includes a commitment
to review scientific data as the new regulation comes into
effect.
Total fishing opportunities agreed for 2019 included increased
quotas for:
- West of Scotland monkfish (+25%)
- Western hake (+28%)
- Skates and rays in the English Channel (+10%)
Limits remained the same for other stocks including Celtic Sea
sole and pollack - and where the science showed it was necessary,
quotas were reduced for certain stocks, including herring in the
Celtic Sea.
Increases in quota for hake, haddock and megrim will benefit the
whole of the UK. Increased quota for monkfish will provide a
boost for the Scottish fleet, while Northern Ireland have
benefitted from an increase in Irish Sea cod. Agreements on sea
bass will offer welcome support to the inshore fleet in Wales.
The primary focus for agriculture was a debate on the Post 2020
CAP reform package, including three legislative proposals: the
first on CAP strategic plans; the second on financing, management
and monitoring of the CAP; and the third on common market
organisation (CMO) of agricultural products. The Commission
welcomed engagement from member states and outlined some of the
areas to be considered, including the budget and the performance
monitoring system. In the discussion that followed, member states
stressed the importance of simplification and shared their views
on convergence and the need for a transition period. Under the
same item, Croatia also gave an update on its interparliamentary
conference on the future of food and farming.
The Commission also informed Council about the new Bioeconomy
strategy and mentioned initiatives by Member States, such as the
BIOEAST conference, which Hungary gave an update on under the
same item. The UK intervened to welcome the aims of the new
strategy and encourage cooperation between member states.
Six other items were discussed separately under ‘any other
business’:
- The Commission set out its proposal to amend the present CAP
legislation for payments in 2019-2020, with the UK intervening in
support and to call for additional flexibility
- Italy gave an update on forest damage
- The Commission informed Council about actions taken following
the 2017 fipronil eggs contamination incident
- The Presidency discussed the progress of legislative files,
namely Unfair Trading Practices, Spirit Drinks, and Fertilisers
- Poland gave a presentation on the situation in the pigmeat
market situation
- The Presidency and Commission updated Council on the Plant
Proteins conference held in Vienna in November.
