Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 07/09/2015

During the exchange of views which took place in the extraordinary meeting of the Agriculture Council, ministers expressed strong concerns about recent developments in a range of agricultural sectors, in particular the dairy and pigmeat sectors.

In response to the difficulties currently being faced by these sectors the Commission put forward a package of measures. These are intended to help address difficulties in cash-flow faced by farmers, stabilise markets and address the functioning of the supply chain.

Ministers highlighted the importance of responding rapidly and efficiently to the difficulties currently being faced by farmers. While supporting the package presented by the Commission, delegations underlined the need to be more precise about the content of the package. The provision of direct targeted aid scheduled by the Commission, in particular the allocation between member states and the affected sectors, is a key point for many delegations. As regards the facility to advance part of the direct payments and rural development payments, most ministers emphasized that flexibility in the controls was needed to help facilitate implementation. In general they considered that, over the medium term, the strengthening of promotion measures and the planned work on the supply chain were important issues.
The President of the Council, Mr Etgen said: "In the light of the concerns expressed, the Union reaffirmed its support for the agricultural sector, which contributes and will continue to contribute to employment, social cohesion and sustainable development. The Council noted the support package put forward by the Commission which will make €500 million available immediately to farmers".