The fishing quotas in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, the situation in the agricultural market, the strategic plans of the Member States included in the Common Agricultural Policy, the legislation on animal welfare and the proposal for a regulation on the rational use of pesticides were the main topics of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council held on Sunday and Monday in Brussels, with the participation of the Minister of Agriculture Costas Kadis on behalf of Cyprus.
According to a statement, the focus was on reaching a political agreement on fishing quotas, particularly in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, as well as on fishing opportunities and setting fishing quotas for the years 2023 and 2024 for deep-sea stocks. After two days of consultations, a political agreement was reached by qualified majority on two regulations concerning the Atlantic and North Sea, and the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Cyprus supported the proposal for the Mediterranean regulation, but opposed the agreement with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and Adjacent Regions (ICCAT) through which an additional quota for long-finned tuna is granted to Turkey.
Cyprus has defended the rights of Cypriot fishermen to a level playing field and fair treatment, pointing out repeatedly that the agreement with ICCAT is not based on scientific or historical data and does not consider the general problems that Turkey is creating in the region, even though it puts Turkey under monitoring in terms of the quantities of longfin tuna it catches. Cyprus therefore voted against the regulation, supported by Greece, according to the statement, by submitting a joint explanatory statement.
It is noted that regarding the bluefin tuna stock, the regulation provides contracting parties, including Cyprus, with a small increase in the stock quota.
Regarding the situation on the agricultural market as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission provided data in relation to production within the EU and food exports from Ukraine.
In his intervention, Kadis referred to the importance of ensuring food security, and noted the need for financial measures, with the possible activation of the agricultural reserve, to maximise the effectiveness of European agriculture support.
At another point during the session, ministers exchanged views on the strategic plans included in the Common Agricultural Policy, particularly in the context of the situation in Ukraine.
Kadis thanked the Commission for the recent adoption of the Strategic Plan for Cyprus and informed the Council on the steps already taken and planned to be taken for a smooth transition to the new programming period 2023-2027, underlining the need for close cooperation between the European Commission and the member states to achieve the objectives set.
The Commission also provided an update on the evaluation of the animal welfare legislation in view of the proposal it is expected to present in 2023. In his intervention, Kadis advocated for the revision of the legislation and its enrichment on the basis of the latest scientific data to provide maximum protection for animals and to adopt the relevant principles of the Farm to Fork strategy.
Ministers were also informed on the progress of work on the proposal for a Regulation on the rational use of plant protection products. In his intervention, the Minister of Agriculture reiterated Cyprus’ support for the general objectives of the proposal. After noting that Cyprus supports the formulation of a workable legislative framework that will safeguard the sustainability of agricultural production, he welcomed the Commission’s readiness to provide additional data to quantify the impact on agricultural production and prices of agricultural products.
Finally, the EU Czech Presidency provided an update on the progress of work on the proposal for a Regulation on geographical indications and quality schemes throughout the EU. In his intervention, the Minister of Agriculture thanked the Czech Presidency for the inclusion of proposals submitted by Cyprus regarding the possibility of extending the transitional period for geographical indications, which will give Cypriot producers the time they need to adapt to the circumstances brought about by the registration of halloumi as a PDO product. We are ready to continue the discussions under the Swedish Presidency in a spirit of consensus, with the aim of reaching an agreement as soon as possible, stressed Kadis.
Source: Cyprus News Agency