Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The meeting of agricultural and fishing ministers in the European Union countries will resume this morning in Luxembourg, which began yesterday and lasted for two days. Yesterday, the European Union agricultural ministers discussed the situation of agricultural markets and basic commodities and took note of the information provided by the Commission regarding short-term expectations for agricultural markets. Furthermore, the Council took note of the information provided by Member States on the market situation, taking into account also the current geopolitical context, and their views on the future challenges that can be expected in the short and medium term. According to a European statement issued late Monday evening and distributed in Brussels, “The consequences of Russia’s aggressive war on Ukraine, adverse weather conditions in some regions, rising energy prices, and the global decline in purchasing power continue to represent challenges to agricultural markets.” The ministers also noted that Other factors, including the spread of animal diseases and food price inflation, continue to put pressure on the sector.
Moreover, the Ministers exchanged views on ways to enhance the flexibility of the Common Agricultural Policy strategic plans, to ensure their ability to respond effectively to future challenges. During the discussions, the Ministers noted that it is necessary to explore new mechanisms and tools to address potential large-scale future crises, in the current geopolitical context and in light of the negative impacts of climate change.
The presidency highlighted the role that agriculture plays in ensuring food security, and stressed that this strategic sector must have the appropriate tools at its disposal to ensure its ability to adapt to exceptional circumstances.
Ukrainian Minister of Agricultural and Food Policy, Mykola Solsky, also joined the meeting to provide EU Member States with an overview of recent developments in Ukraine's agricultural sector. Mr. Solsky provided information on Ukrainian agricultural product exports to the EU, and on how the EU can continue to support his country, not only by facilitating the export of Ukrainian products to the EU and to global markets, but also on the ground in Ukraine. .
The presidency agreed with the Commission on the importance of strengthening solidarity corridors and finding alternative routes with lower logistical costs.
“The discussions have shown once again that thanks in large part to the Common Agricultural Policy, the EU agricultural sector is able to provide food security for EU citizens,” said Luis Planas Buchades, Acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain, whose country holds the current rotating presidency of the Union. At the same time, we support our Ukrainian neighbors and help Ukraine export its grain to countries around the world that need it most. The presence of Ukrainian Minister Mykola Solsky is a testament to our continued commitment to his country.
Waste Framework Directive – Food-related aspects
Ministers publicly discussed the food-related aspects of the proposal amending the Waste Framework Directive, which was presented by the Commission on 5 July 2023.
The Spanish presidency has included this point due to its importance for the agri-food sector and in light of Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 of halving global food waste by 2030, as well as reducing food waste in production and supply chains. The environmental composition of the Council bears overall responsibility for studying the proposal. Given its importance to the agri-food sector and food chains, during today's meeting the Agriculture Ministers discussed the food-related aspects of the proposal, also in light of its potential to contribute to food security.
The Council welcomed the proposal and its objectives, and reaffirmed its commitment to reducing food waste, which is considered one of the largest sources of inefficiency in the food chain. During the exchange of views, the ministers discussed the most appropriate tools to help achieve the proposal’s objectives of reducing and preventing food waste.
Other business
Under the heading “Other matters”, the Council received information from the Czech delegation on the outcomes of the Visegrad Group meeting of ministers responsible for agriculture, which focused on the current situation of agricultural markets and forest policies at EU level.
In addition, the Council received information from the Croatian and Slovenian delegations on crisis management and financial support mechanisms, while the Lithuanian delegation briefed the ministers on support and prospects for organic agriculture. The Italian delegation also provided information on the Commission's draft 2024 work program for the EU promotional policy for agro-food products.
During a plenary session, the Presidency provided the Council with updated information regarding the agricultural and forestry aspects of the proposal regarding the issuance of carbon removal certificates.
Also in a plenary session, the Polish delegation informed the ministers about the impact of the EU Emissions Trading System on the agricultural sector. In addition, the Austrian delegation informed the Council of the challenges facing the agriculture sector, including the situation in the current geopolitical context, the aggressive war waged by Russia and the need to strike a balance between achieving our environmental goals and ensuring food security.

Fisheries
  ICAT 2023
The Ministers exchanged views with the aim of providing guidance to the Commission on the position the EU will take at this year's annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), which will be held from 13 to 20 November 2023. .
The agenda for this year's annual meeting includes a wide range of issues including tropical tuna species, blue shark and bluefin tuna, and control and enforcement measures.
Work within the Council will continue at the technical level with the aim of agreeing on the European Union’s position before the meeting.
The most prominent agenda items today, October 24, 2023
  Fisheries Fishing opportunities for 2024 in the Baltic Sea
The ministers aim to reach a political agreement on fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea next year.