European meeting on agriculture issues

Romanian Agriculture Minister, Petre Daea, has chaired the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels

Bogdan Matei, 29.01.2019, 13:18

The seventh largest country of the EU’s 28
members in terms of surface area, and the sixth after Brexit, Romania was once
called Europe’s granary due to its highly fertile land. Experts still see it as
a country with great agricultural potential. Though not always exploited
efficiently, this potential has however allowed Romania to become again an
important cereal producer and exporter. Consequently, European agricultural
policies are high on Romania’s agenda particularly now, when the country holds
the 6-month presidency of the Council of the EU. On Monday, Romanian
Agriculture Minister, Petre Daea, attended in Brussels the Agriculture and
Fisheries Council, the first during the Romanian Presidency of the Council of
the EU.

The meeting’s agenda included topics such as the Common Agricultural
Policy after 2020 and the Romanian presidency’s priorities, such as animal
health and the consolidation of the farmers’ position. According to Radio
Romania’s correspondent in Brussels, Bucharest plans to make progress in the
negotiations on the modernisation and simplification of the Common Agricultural
Policy. Legislative proposals laying emphasis on the common organisation of
markets will be a priority. Also, the Romanian presidency wants to take
measures likely to encourage the production of plant proteins that would make
the EU independent in this respect. In terms of animal health, Romania wants to
implement a set of measures for the control and eradication of major animal
diseases, and for antimicrobial resistance in veterinary medicine.

Consolidating the position of farmers, who are now seen as the most vulnerable
ring in the food supply chain, will continue to be a priority during Romania’s
mandate. Minister Daea hopes that the farmers’ status will be improved through
the official adoption of the directive on unloyal trade practices. The Romanian
presidency of the Council of the EU will also try to find, together with the
community legislative, the best solution for the long-term management of fish
stocks, Minister Daea has pledged in Brussels. We must fully exploit the
potential of sustainable aquaculture in the Union, in order to meet the
consumers’ expectations and increase the number of jobs, Petre Daea went on to
say. The Romanian official has admitted that the short time left until the
European elections in May is one of the challenges. He has voiced hope,
however, that he will be able to collaborate with the MEPs in order to finalise,
during the current European Parliament legislature, the negotiations regarding
the control regulation and the multiannual fund for fishing.