Walsh faces busy agenda for next six months
It will also coincide with the implementation of the mid-term Review of the Common Agricultural Policy, which was agreed last June, further significant commodity reforms, which are currently before the council, and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations.
This year also presents its own complications for the work of the presidency due to the ending of the term of office of the European Parliament and the elections in June. In practice, the parliament will cease to function in April. This has implications for the decision-making process on issues where the parliament has co-decision powers and also on issues where parliament’s opinion is needed before the council takes a decision.
Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh, who will preside over the Council of Agriculture
Ministers for the next six months, expects a busy agenda.
“The planning process has been underway for some considerable time and I am confident that we can run an efficient and effective presidency,” the
minister said.
Mr Walsh is planning a full programme of monthly Farm Council meetings. The informal council will be held in Killarney on May 9-11. The overall objective is to support the European model of agriculture as defined by the EU Farm Council and endorsed by the European Council.
Mr Walsh said he aims to facilitate the integration of the new States into the CAP, continue the process of simplifying the CAP itself and maximise progress on food safety
measures.
The commission has also presented an options paper for the reform of the sugar sector, which is under discussion.
Specific proposals regarding sugar will not be presented by the commission before next June and, in that event, the most that will happen in the presidency is a first exchange of views.
Mr Walsh said food safety was a major concern for consumers and he will be giving it high priority.
A programme of legislative reform was announced by the commission in the White Paper on Food Safety, which was published in January, 2000.
“The programme is well underway and I intend to make as much progress as possible on these issues,” he said. The commission is also proposing to strengthen controls on the welfare of animals during transport. Mr Walsh said his aim in relation to these controls is to reach an agreement in the council which provides for high standards of welfare but also allows trade to be maintained. Enlargement of the union will be the highlight of the presidency. Mr Walsh said he will also progress agreement on an action plan for organic farming which is expected from the commission during the first half of 2004.
In relation to forestry, he said the presidency will prepare the EU’s position for a United
Nations’ forum in May and will commence the review of the EU Forest Strategy.
Mr Walsh said he also aims to conclude the negotiations on reform of the common market organisations for olive oil, cotton, tobacco and hops.
Regarding the WTO talks, which broke down in Cancun, Mexico, last September, he said the negotiations did not fail because of EU intransigence nor was agriculture responsible for the breakdown.
“Last month, the commission published its reflection paper which restated in very clear terms its commitment to the multilateral process and the Doha mandate. I agree with the commission’s analysis.
“I am, however, concerned that there should be no change in the EU’s negotiating position on agriculture from the mandate agreed by the council.
“We have already undertaken major reform in preparation for the WTO negotiations and further reform will not be acceptable politically.
“We should, of course, participate fully in the negotiations when they resume and should work for an early resumption.
“But before substantive negotiations, we must ensure that the negotiating partners respect the offers which have been made as the EU’s considered negotiating position,” he said. Mr Walsh said the prospects for further progress in the new round at the WTO General Council have improved.
But in his view substantial progress in the near future is unlikely due to the US elections and the appointment of a new European Commission.
