Read this article in: Economy

EU: Agriculture Work programme of Finland's presidency

Finland's presidency presented its work programmeand outlined its main priorities in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.

The cross-cutting theme of the Finnish presidency will be sustainability.

In the field of agriculture, thepriority of the presidency will be to negotiate the Commission proposals on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) post 2020. In light of the increasing strategic and economic value of food, clean water and sustainable agriculture, the presidency will promote a CAP that can better respond to environmental issues and climate change. The presidency will also promote the sustainable use of natural resourcesandbiodiversity and animal welfare questions.

The monitoring of the market situation and international trade related questions, as well as bioeconomy and forestry will also be priorities in the coming six months.

Concerning veterinary and sanitary and phytosanitary measures(SPS), the presidency will place particular emphasis on antimicrobial resistance, animal health and welfare, plant health and food safety.

In the field of fisheries, the presidency will lead negotiations on 2020 fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and the Atlantic and North Sea.Moreover the presidency will enhance the work on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) as far as possible,and continue discussion on the fisheries control regulation.

Programme of the Finland's presidency