Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Costas Kadis attended the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting, which took place in Brussels on 11 and 12 December.
The discussions focused on reaching a political agreement on fishing quotas, in particular on the setting of fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, as well as fishing opportunities and setting of fishing quotas for the years 2023 and 2024 for deep-sea stocks. After two days of consultations, the Council reached a political agreement, by qualified majority, on the two Regulations concerning fishing opportunities and allocation of catch quotas by species and by country a) in the Atlantic and North Sea and b) in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
It is noted that Cyprus supported the proposal for the Mediterranean Regulation. However, it reacted to the agreement reached with ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and Adjacent Regions) under the Quotas Regulation, through which an additional quota for longfin tuna was granted to Turkey. Cyprus defended the rights of Cypriot fishermen to a level playing field and fair treatment, pointing out repeatedly that the above agreement, although it puts Turkey under surveillance as regards the quantities of longfinned tuna it catches, is not based on scientific or historical data and does not take into account the general problems that this country creates in the Eastern Mediterranean region. In view of these facts, Cyprus voted against the regulation, with the support of Greece, while both countries submitted a joint explanatory statement. With regard to the bluefin tuna stock, the same Regulation provides Contracting Parties, including Cyprus, with a small increase in the quota of the stock.
The Council also discussed the current market situation in Member States, as it is shaped by Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. In this context, the European Commission presented the situation on the European market, providing data in relation to both production within the European Union and food exports from Ukraine, with ministers focusing on food production forecasts and possibilities for further support for farmers. In his intervention, Mr Kadis, after referring to the importance of ensuring food security, noted the need for financial measures, with the possible activation of the agricultural reserve, to maximise the effectiveness of support for European agriculture.
Ministers also exchanged views on the strategic plans included in the Common Agricultural Policy, particularly in the context of the current situation in Ukraine and the new challenges it poses for the agricultural sector. In his intervention, the Minister thanked the European Commission for the recent adoption of the Cyprus Strategic Plan and informed the Council of the steps already taken and planned to be taken for a smooth transition to the new programming period 2023-2027, stressing the need for close cooperation between the European Commission and the member states to achieve the objectives set. In his intervention, Mr Kadis supported the revision of the legislation and its enrichment on the basis of the latest scientific data in order to provide maximum protection for animals and to adopt the relevant principles of the "Farm to Plate" 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 development of a workable legislative framework, which 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 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. Taking the floor, the Minister of Agriculture thanked the Czech Presidency for including the proposals made by Cyprus regarding the possibility of extending the transitional period for geographical indications. The extension of the transitional period will give the Cypriot producers the time they need to adapt to the circumstances brought about by the registration of halal flour as a PDO product.
(MF/MB/IC)
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