Common agriculture and fisheries issues discussed

On Monday 20 March, Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren chaired a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) in Brussels. Ministers from all EU Member States gathered to discuss common agriculture and fisheries issues.

“We had a rewarding discussion about several communications in the area of fisheries that the European Commission recently presented. They include topics such as how to increase the sustainability and resilience of the EU’s fisheries sector.

We also discussed the recurring issue of the current agricultural market, particularly in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Commission has presented a proposal to extend the waived customs duties for Ukraine for another year. The ministers were also given an opportunity to express their views on the agriculture and forestry aspects of the Nature Restoration Law,” says Mr Kullgren, who serves as Chair of AGRIFISH.

The meeting also highlighted the Commission’s communication on protecting pollinating species and the report by the European Pigmeat Reflection Group. In addition, the Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish delegations emphasised the future protocol of the sustainable fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Morocco.