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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the outcome was of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 18th to 19th October; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

27 October 2004

For answer on

10 November 2004

Answered on

10 November 2004

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 18-19 October; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [195376] Margaret Beckett: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary and I represented the United Kingdom at a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 18 October 2004. The Scottish Minister for Environment and Rural Development was also present. As this was the last Council expected to be attended by Commissioners Franz Fischler and David Byrne, the Council took the opportunity to pay warm tribute to the contribution that they had made during their time in office. As to the agenda, the Council responded to a number of key questions arising from a Commission report on the simplification of the common market organisation in fruit and vegetables. I joined several delegations in noting that, while changes to the regime agreed in 1996 have had a positive effect, we need to look constructively at the scope for further changes, including increased flexibility and subsidiarity in the regime. Its impact on developing countries and on the Doha Development Agenda would also be important factors. We should be wary of further intervention in the market but we could look at the scope for promotion of fruit and vegetable consumption. The Commission will reflect upon the exchanges before tabling any proposals for further reform. Discussion will resume at official level. The Council took note, without discussion, of discussions on the European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming and agreed conclusions supporting a range of further actions. On fisheries, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary emphasised the importance of consistent and effective enforcement of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and welcomed the proposal for a Community Fisheries Control Agency. However, he emphasised that the Agency should act in a co-ordinating, not instructing role; that it should build on work to develop a regional input to the CFP; and that it should be cost neutral. Many delegations made similar points. Discussion will continue between officials. The Council held an initial exchange of views in preparation for this year's negotiation on a fisheries agreement with Norway. My hon. Friend made clear the high priority the United Kingdom attaches to ensuring that the EU has access to the full amount of Arctic cod quota it is entitled to under the terms of the EEA Agreement, and identifying stocks that the EU can offer Norway in exchange without making use of mackerel which is a fully utilised quota stock. There was general agreement that the Commission needed to take a robust line with Norway. Further preparations for the negotiation will be taken forward by officials. The Council held a policy debate on Commission proposals for recovery plans for hake and Norway lobster in the Cantabrian Sea and for sole stocks in the Western English Channel and Bay of Biscay. My hon. Friend made clear the United Kingdom's commitment to sustainable management of western Channel sole which is an important stock for fishermen in south-west England, but that we do not believe western Channel sole should be a recovery stock or that the Commission's effort control proposals are appropriate. He drew attention to the advice on this stock delivered by the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) in August which suggests that this stock is less likely to be outside safe limits than other sole stocks, confirming the results of collaborative research carried out with commercial fishing vessels in the south-west. He called for inconsistencies between this advice and the most recent ICES draft advice to be clarified urgently. Other member states expressed a range of views on the recovery plan proposals. Discussions will continue among officials. The Commission reported on the state of play on a number of important trade negotiations. On the WTO, Commissioner Fischler welcomed the framework agreement reached in Geneva in the summer as a basis for continued detailed negotiations which safeguard essential European interests. He also reported on the continuing attempts to make progress in the EU/ Mercosur negotiations; on work to agree a tariff-only arrangement for reform of the banana regime; and on resolving outstanding negotiations with certain third country suppliers of rice. Among a long list of many other business items, I and several others supported a Danish request to consider how best to include low fat dairy products in the school milk programme. Several, mostly central European, member states drew attention to the problems on the EU cereals market following this year's harvest. Other matters raised were: the impact of the US Bio-terrorism Act, implementation of the reformed CAP in Denmark, state aid for weather damage in Lithuania, the co-existence of GMO and other crops, the impact on fishing of increased diesel prices in France and the EU/Angola Fisheries Agreement. The Commission tabled a written report on continuing BSE control measures. France reported on its action to deal with a recent case of rabies in an imported dog. Spain reported an outbreak of blue tongue disease in cattle in southern Spain and drew attention to a forthcoming conference on plant genetic resources.

Date

10 November 2004

Reference

195376; 426 c681-3W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the outcome was of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 24th February; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

25 February 2004

For answer on

2 March 2004

Answered on

2 March 2004

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 24 February; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [157673] Margaret Beckett: I represented the United Kingdom at a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 24 February. The Irish Presidency briefly presented its work programme for the first half of the year. Their general priorities were enlargement, simplification and enhancement of food safety. The Council agreed by a qualified majority a Regulation providing for tariff quotas for the importation of certain fishery products. Italy voted against because of its view that the quota for tuna loin imports was insufficient and Spain abstained because it felt that the quotas in general were too large. I supported the proposal. The Council noted progress on technical level discussions preparatory to political discussion at the April Council on the proposals for a Regulation on the protection of animals during transport. There was a discussion and I supported the need for an early agreement and for a longer-term objective of moving trade in live animals for slaughter to a meat basis. The Council noted a presentation from the Commission on its proposals for the Financial Perspective. The Council noted a report from the Greek Minister about severe weather conditions in Greece affecting agriculture and the sympathetic response from the Commission. Greece and the Commission would pursue the assessment of this situation bilaterally. The Council took note of a report from the Commission on its public hearing on 22 January on organic food and farming. This is preparatory to the tabling of an Action Plan by the Commission to the Council later in the Irish Presidency. Under any other business the Council noted a written report on BSE and reports from Commissioner Byrne on the current situation in regard to Avian Influenza in Asia and a recent outbreak in the US. Commissioner Byrne notified the Council that acting under comitology procedures the Commission was to introduce a ban on the importation of live poultry and certain products from the US. The Council also noted a report from Spain and Portugal about the high level of feed grain prices and indications from Finland and Sweden that there remained supplies of oats which could be used. The Council also noted information from Italy and Portugal with support from other wine producing countries about recent changes which had been made to the use of traditional terms for wine imported from third countries. The Council noted that the Commission had explained that these changes were necessary to take account of recent discussions at WTO level. The Council noted information from France about the low level of milk prices. A wide range of views were expressed in subsequent discussion. I made the point that this was to be expected as a result of the changes agreed last June which was reflected in the compensation payments to be introduced shortly. The Commission undertook to produce an analysis of the situation with assistance from the member states. Finally the Commission amplified the terms of a letter which it had recently sent to all member states about the Single Farm Payment to explain that it was simply making the point that member states which chose to operate on regional or hybrid models would need to justify this decision to the Commission as will be clarified in the Commission implementing Regulations. This was noted by the Council.

Date

2 March 2004

Reference

157673; 418 c759-60W;418 c779-80W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Statement on what the outcome was of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 27th to 29th November; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

3 December 2002

For answer on

11 December 2002

Answered on

11 December 2002

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels on 27 to 29 November; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [85857] Margaret Beckett: My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary and I represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 27 to 28 November 2002. Ministers responsible for fisheries and farming issues in Scotland and Wales also attended and, together with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, joined me at a short bilateral meeting with Commissioner Fischler on Friday morning at which we discussed the Mid-Term Review of the CAP. On fisheries, the main items discussed by the Council were reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and cod and hake recovery. The Presidency noted the positions of the member states on CFP reform and will now reflect on how to promote agreement at the December Council. On cod and hake recovery, the Commissioner outlined his revised strategy for securing cod recovery in the light of the recent scientific assessments. He envisages an 80 per cent. reduction in fishing effort for whitefish fishing, 40 per cent. for flatfish, 10 per cent. for industrial fishing and 5 per cent. for nephrops. The UK emphasised its commitment to securing stock recovery. On the other hand we emphasised our commitment to finding a package of measures which would enable sustainable fishing activity to continue while still achieving recovery. We stressed in particular the importance of the burdens resulting from recovery action falling equitably on all fleets whose activities impact on cod stocks. There will be further technical discussion at official level before the December Council. The Commissioner also made a first presentation of his proposed action plans on the social, economic and regional implications of EU fleet restructuring and on how to reduce discards of unwanted fish. These will return to the Council for further consideration after study by officials. The Council reached political agreement, by qualified majority, on rules for the authorisation and labelling of genetically modified (GM) food and feed. This was a difficult discussion. I eventually voted against the final compromise because it contained provisions regarding the adventitious presence and labelling of GM organisms that are neither practicable nor enforceable. I also had concerns about the legal base on which the proposal rested. There was a brief discussion of the measures forming part of a package addressing hygiene rules and their enforcement in respect of food of animal origin. Further work is planned at official level before the December Council. The Commission gave its regular report on BSE in the EU and reported contacts with the French Government over its plans in respect of Specified Risk Material (SRM) controls on sheep spinal cord. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary restated our concerns about the proposed French measures and strongly underlined our view that member states should not take unilateral action that goes beyond existing EU legal provisions and scientific advice. The Council continued its consideration of the Mid- Term Review of the CAP with a discussion concentrating on modulation, decoupling and cross compliance. I welcomed the broad thrust of the Commission's proposals while noting that the EU needed to start work quickly on the detailed legislative texts which the Commission had promised for January. I recalled our opposition to certain features of the Commission's modulation model, including its unfair redistribution of modulated funds. I gave strong support to the principle of decoupling aid from production which would encourage farmers to focus more on markets and at the same time strengthen the EU's hand in the WTO negotiations. Under other business, there was discussion of animal welfare in third countries and the situation in Spain following the sinking of the oil tanker `Prestige'. The Council also approved a state aid to Greek cotton producers.

Date

11 December 2002

Reference

85857; 396 c315-6W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Statement on what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held on 27th June; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

3 July 2002

For answer on

5 July 2002

Answered on

5 July 2002

Mr. Hood: :To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held on 27 June; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [67730] Margaret Beckett: :I represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture Council meeting in Luxembourg on 27 June 2002. The Council received progress reports on Commission proposals concerning the control of zoonoses and a common market organisation for ethyl alcohol, and reached provisional political agreement on a proposed framework regulation laying down general food hygiene rules. It noted there was no qualified majority support for or against a proposal to register "feta" as a protected legislation of origin. Under the relevant procedures, this means the Commission will be able to adopt the measure under its own powers in due course. During a brief discussion of BSE, Commissioner Byrne called on the French Government to comply with the ECJ's ruling on its illegal ban on British beef exports. The French Minister announced their intention to defer implementation of their national rules banning spinal cord from sheep over six months old until January 2003. I subsequently followed up both these points bilaterally with my French counterpart. The Council discussed Presidency papers on the future of the EU's Veterinary Fund, the CAP fruit and vegetables regime and the use of agricultural insurance as a risk management tool. It also received a presentation from Commissioner Fischler on the medium term prospects for the main EU agricultural markets, in advance of his proposals for CAP Reform, which are expected on 10 July.

Date

5 July 2002

Reference

67730; 388 c640-1W;388 c642-3W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Statement on what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 22nd April; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

26 April 2002

Reference

51634; 384 c510W;384 c508W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 20th November; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

20 November 2001

For answer on

26 November 2001

Answered on

26 November 2001

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 20 November; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [17454] Margaret Beckett: I represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture Council in Brussels on 20 November, Agriculture Ministers of the devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland attended. It was not possible to reach agreement on the main item of business, the proposed reform of the sheepmeat regime. I am disappointed with this outcome since I believe that a satisfactory outcome was close. I hope that the Council will be able to complete discussions at its next meeting. The Council reviewed the situation in the beef and veal market and the Commission, while not proposing any new action, agreed to monitor developments closely. I supported several member states who stressed that high standards of animal welfare should be maintained when cattle are exported live from the EU; the Commission did not however accept that export refunds on this trade should be discontinued. The Council received information on the current situation with regard to action to control BSE in the member states. The Commission reported that it was examining the compatibility with EU law of recent action by the French trade in respect of beef imports from other EU members. I reminded the Council that one member state had still to lift its ban on imports of British beef. On sheepmeat, the Commission noted that the EU's Scientific Steering Committee (SSC), which provides advice on food safety and risk management issues, had considered but not approved the further requirements that France proposed to introduce in respect of Specified Risk Material (SRM), especially spinal cord, in carcases. France was invited to supply further information for consideration by the SSC and meanwhile to defer implementation of the measures. The Council took note of a report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the evaluation of active substances in pesticides. The Council also congratulated the Commission on the successful conclusion of the discussions on agriculture at the Doha meeting of the WTO.

Date

26 November 2001

Reference

17454; 375 c690-1W;375 c692W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Statement on what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 23rd October; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

23 October 2001

For answer on

25 October 2001

Answered on

25 October 2001

Mr. Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 23 October; what the Government's stance was on each issue discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement. [10369] Margaret Beckett: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Whitty, attended the meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg on 23 October. We reported on the experiments to identify whether UK sheep had been exposed to BSE. We emphasised that the UK was conducting a large programme of research into BSE, of which the experiments on brain material from the early 1990s was a small part. Other continuing experiments had shown no evidence of BSE in the flock. Commissioner Byrne reported on progress with the EU programme of cattle testing for BSE and concluded that the Council would need to keep current measures under review. The Commission presented a number of new proposals: proposals for measures to improve the monitoring and control of animal diseases transmissible to man; a report on the evaluation of the active substances in agricultural pesticides to which the Council will revert in November; and proposals for improving the control of genetically modified food and feed and for the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms. On foot and mouth disease, we updated colleagues on progress towards stamping out the disease in this country. The Council also discussed the situation in the beef market and agreed to keep it under examination. There was in addition a brief exchange of views on the Commission's proposal to withdraw the authorisation for use of certain feed additives. A number of member states, including the UK, voiced concern over some of the possible withdrawals. The Commission noted that the necessary technical information had not been supplied to support continued authorisation. Over lunch Commissioner Fischler updated Ministers on the agricultural aspects of the preparations for the World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting at Doha.

Date

25 October 2001

Reference

10369; 373 c365W;373 c365-6W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Statement on what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 24th to 25th April; what the Government's voting record was at the Council; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

26 April 2001

For answer on

30 April 2001

Answered on

30 April 2001

Mr. Hood: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 24 to 25 April; what the Government's voting record was at the Council; and if he will make a statement. [159572] Mr. Nick Brown: I represented the UK at the meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg on 24 April. The Minister for Rural Development in the Scottish Executive, Ross Finnie, was also present. As I reported to the House on 26 April, I brought the Agriculture Council up to date on our efforts to combat foot and mouth disease and the fact that our measures are bringing about a decline in the number of new cases. The Council also heard reports on FMD from the Commission and from the Dutch Agriculture Minister, and in response to a UK/Dutch initiative there was collective agreement to hold a conference later in the year to discuss the lessons to be learned from these outbreaks. The Council also heard a report from the Commission on the results of the EU-wide testing programme for BSE, and in particular agreed conclusions inviting the Standing Veterinary Committee to extend the temporary ban on meat and bone meal beyond the end of June. With the support of several other member states, I secured agreement from the Commission that they would re-examine the use of fishmeal in ruminant feed in the light of their current evaluation of cross-contamination risks. Turning to market-related measures, the Council considered a compromise text from the Presidency and Commission on reform of the EU sugar regime, extending the duration of the quota system for a further four years but with a review before end-2002. Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark and the UK were able to support this compromise, but others were strongly opposed. The issue will be re-examined in May. The Council reached unanimous agreement on measures to reform the cotton regime, within strict budgetary limits. The Council also adopted by qualified majority a proposal to permit organic producers to grow fodder legumes on set aside land; only France abstained in the vote on this small but worthwhile measure. The Council agreed conclusions on the integration of environmental concerns into the common agricultural policy; these will form part of a report on environmental sustainability going to EU Heads of Government in June. The Commission also reported to the Council progress with the setting up of the proposed European Food Authority.

Date

30 April 2001

Reference

159572; 367 c499-500W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Statement on what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 26th and 27th February; if he will set out the Government's voting record at the Council; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

27 February 2001

For answer on

5 March 2001

Answered on

5 March 2001

Mr. Hood: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 26 and 27 February; if he will set out the Government's voting record at the Council; and if he will make a statement. [151992] Mr. Nick Brown: The Minister of State and I represented the United Kingdom at the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 26 February. Ross Finnie (Minister for Rural Development, Scottish Executive), Brid Rodgers MLA (Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive), and Carwyn Jones (Minister for Rural Affairs, National Assembly for Wales), also attended. The Council reviewed the main decisions on BSE which it had taken at recent meetings. Member states underlined the importance of effective implementation of those measures, as well as the need to avoid national measures. On scrapie, the Council endorsed the Commission's proposals on testing and surveillance and undertook to keep the science under review. The Council also considered the Commission's proposed seven-point plan responding to the crisis in the European beef market. A wide range of reactions emerged. The UK supported the need for urgent measures to restore consumer confidence and remove unwanted beef from older animals from the market, while querying the appropriateness of some of the measures designed to rebalance the beef market in the medium term. We expressed particular concern about the proposals to require suckler cow premium claims to include a minimum of 20 per cent. heifers, the introduction of individual quotas for beef special premium and restoration of the 90 head limit on beef special premium claims. I gave colleagues in the Council details of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in the United Kingdom as well as the measures we are taking to contain the disease and, in collaboration with the Commission, to prevent its spread to other member states. Commissioner Byrne and other Ministers expressed great sympathy for UK farmers and their appreciation of the comprehensive measures we are taking. Jointly with the Italian delegation, we called for a review of the EU's food labelling policy so that food labels would better satisfy consumers demands for more information, including, for example, about how food is produced and what it contains. This initiative was given strong support by Germany and Austria.

Date

5 March 2001

Reference

151992; 364 c104-5W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 29th and 30th January was; and if he will make a statement. - Includes figure.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

29 January 2001

For answer on

7 February 2001

Answered on

7 February 2001

Mr. Hood: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 29 and 30 January was; and if he will make a statement. [148200] Mr. Nick Brown: I attended the Agriculture Council meeting held in Brussels on 29 January, accompanied by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State and Brid Rogers MLA, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive. The main focus of the Council was BSE. The Commission reported on progress by member states in implementing the new measures adopted in December, as well as on the market and budgetary problems arising from the dramatic fall in beef consumption in many member states. In the light of advice from the Scientific Steering Committee, the Council agreed new rules should be put in place banning the use of mechanically recovered meat from ruminant bones, requiring heat treatment of fat from ruminants for use in feed, and requiring the removal of vertebral columns from cattle. I made clear that the SSC advice required no ban to be imposed on UK beef on the bone and this was not opposed. The Council will receive, before its next meeting, a package of proposals addressing the problems in the beef market. These will be financed within the budget limits laid down by the Berlin European Council. The Council also heard presentations from Commissioner Byrne on proposals to improve the welfare of pigs and planned proposals to improve the operation of the Directive on the welfare of animals in transit. I warmly welcomed both and urged the Council to agree to implement the planned improvements for pigs on a faster scale than proposed. Commissioner Fischler presented new proposals for reform of the olive oil regime and for a pilot scheme introducing a new simplified subsidy to replace certain production-linked aids. The scheme would be limited to farmers receiving no more than euro 1,000 a year.

Date

7 February 2001

Reference

362 c563-4W;362 c564-5W; 148200

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Statement on the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 20th and 21st November; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

21 November 2000

For answer on

27 November 2000

Answered on

27 November 2000

Mr. Hood: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 20 and 21 November; and if he will make a statement. [140122] Mr. Nick Brown: I represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture Council on 20 and 21 November. Ross Finnie (Minister for Rural Development, Scottish Executive), Carwyn Jones (Minister for Rural Affairs, National Assembly for Wales) and Brid Rodgers MLA (Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Northern Ireland Executive) were also present. The Council held a lengthy discussion of the situation regarding BSE in the Union, following explanations from Commissioner Byrne of planned new Community measures and from France about the steps it had taken in response to recent concerns about the safety of beef in that country. The Council agreed that, notwithstanding the wide range of safety provisions already in place, testing for BSE should be introduced of animals over 30 months that were either at risk or entering the food chain, as an additional safety measure. I warmly welcomed this although all meat produced in the UK (except that from Beef Assurance Scheme animals which are exempt from our Over-30-Months Scheme) comes from animals slaughtered below this age. The Council also emphasised the importance of a Community approach to BSE, rather than reliance on national measures, a point I stressed applied no less to the national measures being maintained by France against UK exports than to those recently introduced against French exports. The Commission will seek rapid advice from its scientific advisers on the national measures which have been recently adopted and will propose a community approach (either calling for removal of the measures or replacing them with Community regulations) by the end of this month. An additional meeting of the Council will be called on 4 December if necessary. Commissioner Byrne introduced the Commission's new proposals for a European Food Authority. The Council will hold an open (public) discussion of these at its next meeting. The Council also adopted unanimously draft proposals for the WTO negotiations on agriculture. These set out the Union's ideas for negotiation covering both reductions in agricultural protection and support and measures to address non trade concerns such as animal welfare and the environment, as well as particular measures to help developing countries. This agreement sends a clear signal of the Community's readiness to engage positively and constructively in these important negotiations. The Council agreed by qualified majority proposals to reform the fruit and vegetable regimes. These include a very welcome simplification of the procedures for Community financing of producer groups' operational programmes as well as an increase in the ceiling on support for those programmes, whose aims include helping balance supply and demand, reducing costs and promoting environmentally sound practices. Along with Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, however, I voted against the final Presidency compromise on the grounds of its excessive increase in support to processing of tomatoes, peaches and citrus fruit. The Council also agreed by qualified majority proposals concerning the control of blue tongue disease (Greece voting against) and animal nutrition (Finland voting against).

Date

27 November 2000

Reference

357 c402-3W; 140122

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Statement on what was the outcome of the Agriculture Council held in Brussels on 19th and 20th July; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

23 July 1999

Reference

93044; 335 c719-20W;335 c721-2W

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what estimate he has made of the net job losses in rural communities resulting from the BSE crisis. - Inc figs and ref to an independent study from DTZ Pieda Consulting, in LIbrary.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

19 October 1998

Reference

317 c1058W; 55036

House

House of Commons

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what is his most recent estimate of the total cost to public funds of the BSE crisis. - Inc figs.

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

19 October 1998

Reference

317 c1059W; 55017

House

House of Commons

Scottish Office;Scottish Grand Committee

When he last met representatives of the Scottish Farmers Union to discuss BSE. - (Failed OPQ).

Asked by

Jim Hood (Labour)

Answering body

Scottish Grand Committee

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

22 April 1996

Reference

SGC c54; 25028

House

House of Commons

Librarians' tools

Type

House

Session

Year

Department

Member

Primary member

Answering member

Legislative stage

Legislation

Subject

Publisher