By: UKOM
State Secretary Aleš Irgolič attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels. Ministers exchanged views on better coherence between the Green Deal, the common agricultural policy and trade policy to ensure the transition to sustainable food systems. In the afternoon, they discussed the Regulation on the making available on the Union market as well as export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation. They also discussed the situation in agricultural markets. On the Austrian initiative supported among others by Slovenia, the Council held a debate on a fair income for farmers. In the margins of the Council, State Secretary Irgolič participated in a working meeting of the 4Forests initiative, which brings together forestry ministers from Finland, Sweden, Austria and Slovenia.
The French Presidency devoted the first part of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council to the exchange of views on how to improve the coherence between the European Green Deal, the common agricultural policy (CAP) and trade policy to support the transition to sustainable food systems. Slovenia agrees that better coherence between the Green Deal, the CAP and trade policy is crucial for the transition to sustainable food systems. Slovenia believes that the EU has to maintain high standards in food safety, consumer protection and animal welfare and high product standards in European markets to support the transition to sustainable food systems. In addition, it has to strengthen its activities in this area in the international environment and institutions. State Secretary Irgolič stressed: “the lack of better coherence between the Green Deal, CAP and trade policy in the EU risks to aggravate the situation of European producers; this could lead to moving production to third countries.”
In the afternoon, the ministers discussed the Regulation on the making available on the Union market as well as export from the Union of certain commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation. Slovenia supports the proposed regulation. However, State Secretary Irgolič noted: “Slovenia considers that, in line with Council conclusions on the new EU Forest Strategy, the Regulation has to take into account the diversity of forests and forest policies across member states and the differences between the existing national forest programmes and strategies that follow international commitments.” Slovenia points out that the proposed regulation should not place additional administrative burden on small and medium-sized enterprises.
On the Austrian initiative, which was also supported by Slovenia, ministers discussed a fair income for farmers under AOB items. In recent months, farmers have been facing numerous problems due to the rising prices of fuels, energy, animal feed, chemical fertilisers and reproductive material. During the debate, State Secretary Irgolič stressed that recently Slovenia has devoted much attention to this issue and he called for action at European level. Slovenia believes that one of the solutions is “better integration and cooperation of farmers, in particular in selling agricultural products to purchasers and food-processing industry. This will enable farmers to increase their bargaining power and achieve better prices in selling their products.”
In its presentation of the current situation in agricultural markets, the European Commission also raised the issue of the rising energy prices. Agricultural markets have not only been affected by the rising energy prices and low purchase prices, but also by the COVID-19 pandemic and the African swine fever. The pigmeat sector remains one of the most affected.
Under the AOB item, agriculture ministers addressed issues related to the reform of the EU’s promotion policy. Slovenia called for an inclusive promotion policy, which does not exclude products or sectors but provides information to consumers on high production and processing standards and the benefits of a balanced diet. The ministers debated a Report on the phytosanitary measures on imports into the EU and on the extension of the use of plant passports, as well as issues related to the EU legislation on the commercial keeping and sale of dogs.
In the margins of the meeting, State Secretary Irgolič met with agriculture ministers from Austria, Finland and Sweden that form the 4Forests initiative together with Slovenia. He thanked the Austrian minister Elizabeth Köstinger for organising the meeting and setting up the initiative: “I believe that this group will definitely strengthen our communication and the good cooperation that we have had so far in forestry. I am pleased that, together, we will be able to better promote our joint vision of forest management in discussions with stakeholders in the EU and beyond.”