COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,update

 

Meetings Tuesday, 22 October 2024

● Council of the EU   22/10/2024 15:55 | Meetings | Main results - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 21-22 October 2024   The Agriculture and Fisheries Council met in Luxembourg on 21-22 October 2024. Fisheries ministers discussed fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea, reaching a political agreement on catch limits for 2025. Additionally, they also exchanged views on the upcoming meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). As far as agriculture is concerned, the Council took stock of the main challenges that the EU food chain is facing, and discussed trade-related agricultural issues, as well as the future CAP post-2027.   ● Council of the EU   22/10/2024 11:14 | Press release | Baltic Sea: Council agrees on catch limits for 2025   The Council today reached a political agreement on new limits on fish catches for the Baltic Sea's key fish stocks, including herring, cod, plaice, sprat, and salmon, in order to ensure sustainable stocks and a viable sector for the future. The agreement on total allowable catches (TACs) and national quotas for 2025 is in line with the scientific advice provided by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), and sets the maximum quantities each member state will be allowed to catch for each fish stock. EU fisheries ministers took into account both environmental and socioeconomic considerations, aiming to ensure sustainable fishing practices while supporting the livelihoods of those in the fishing industry. “The livelihoods of fishers depend on the long-term sustainability of our fishing stocks. With today's agreement we aim to strike a balance between helping fish stocks recover, protecting marine ecosystems, and ensuring the viability of the sector in the future.” — István Nagy, Hungarian Minister for Agriculture The agreement in detail Herring The Central Baltic herring stock has increased above the minimum sustainable level in the past year. Moreover, the scientific forecasts for this stock are positive. Therefore, the Council agreed to increase the fishing opportunities by 108%, in line with the Commission's proposal. The Council also followed the Commission's recommendations regarding herring in the Gulf of Riga and herring in the Gulf of Bothnia, increasing the catch limits by 10% and 21%, respectively, in light of the positive scientific advice. In the case of Western Baltic herring, due to low biomass levels, the Council agreed to carry over last year's TAC for unavoidable by-catches. This refers to fish caught unintentionally while fishing for other species. The Council also decided to maintain the exemption currently in place for small-scale coastal fisheries. Cod With both Eastern and Western Baltic cod stocks in poor condition, the Council agreed to continue setting TACs for by-catches only, in order to allow for the recovery of the stocks. Compared to last year, the catch limits have been reduced by 28% and 22%, respectively. To help improve the situation of these stocks, the Council agreed with the Commission's proposal to prohibit recreational cod fishing in the entire area, but taking into account incidental by-catches. Plaice Catch limits for plaice will remain unchanged compared to 2024. While plaice stocks are healthy, the plaice TAC takes into account the fact that cod is caught unintentionally while fishing for plaice. Sprat The Council agreed to reduce the total allowable catches for sprat, in line with scientific advice, by 31%, in order to prevent a decline below sustainable levels. Salmon The Council decided to decrease catch limits by 36% for salmon in the main basin and to maintain last year's TAC for salmon in the Gulf of Finland. Additionally, recreational salmon fishing for salmon in the main basin will be limited to catching no more than one specimen of adipose fin-clipped salmon retained per fisher per day. After catching the first specimen, recreational fishers will have to stop fishing salmon for the remainder of the day. Norway pout The Council also decided on fishing opportunities for Norway pout in the North Sea, a stock that is shared by the EU and the United Kingdom. Following consultations with the UK, delegations agreed to set an EU limit of 300 tonnes for by-catches only. Next steps The Council will formally adopt the decision in an upcoming meeting, once the text has been finalised in all languages. Background The Council sets limits on how much fish can be caught in EU waters in order to avoid fish stocks becoming depleted. The Council has a key role in setting these catch limits, as it alone has decision-making competence in this area. The Council's agreement is based on a Commission proposal and follows the scientific advice provided by ICES. Additionally, it is in line with the goals of the Common Fisheries Policy, as well as with the provisions of the multiannual plan for Baltic Sea stocks. The work conducted by BALTFISH, the regional fisheries forum for the Baltic Sea, which is currently chaired by Germany, contributed to the Council's efforts towards reaching the agreement. The Baltic Sea is the most polluted sea in Europe, and faces numerous challenges, including biodiversity loss, climate change, the effects of overfishing in the past, and high levels of contaminants and litter. In order to address these challenges and ensure sustainable fisheries and a healthy marine environment, the EU favours a long-term approach to sustainability. Fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2025 – table Commission proposal Management of the EU's fish stock (background information)

Press material Tuesday, 22 October 2024     ● Council of the EU   22/10/2024 11:10 | Press release | Republic of Moldova: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the constitutional referendum and the first round of the presidential elections   On Sunday 20 October, the citizens of the Republic of Moldova exercised their democratic right to vote in the first round of the presidential elections and the referendum on enshrining EU accession in their constitution. The European Union commends the authorities for the organisation of the electoral process and of the referendum in accordance with democratic standards. The European Union welcomes the outcome of the referendum. The citizens of the Republic of Moldova made a historic choice to anchor their future within the European Union, despite massive interference and a hybrid campaign by Russia and its proxies to undermine the democratic vote in Moldova. This vote reflects their aspirations for a peaceful, independent, stable, democratic, and prosperous Moldova. The European Union condemns the unprecedented malign interference by Russia into Moldova’s presidential elections and constitutional referendum. We will continue supporting the Republic of Moldova’s resilience and progress on its EU accession path. ● Council of the EU   Career opportunities at the General Secretariat, 22/10/2024   Director-General (AD15) for Council's Directorate-General LIFE “Agriculture, Fisheries, Social Affairs and Health” Reference: CONS/AD/196/24 The closing day for applications: 12 November 2024, at 12:00 noon (Brussels time)   ● Council of the EU   21/10/2024 17:02 | Press release | Central African Republic: Council extends the mandate of the EU advisory mission for two years   The Council today adopted a decision extending the mandate of the EU advisory mission in the Central African Republic (EUAM RCA) for a further two years, until 7 August 2026, with a budget allocation of over €24 million for this period. EUAM RCA was established in December 2019 with the objective of supporting the reform of the internal security forces to enable the Central African Republic authorities to mitigate security challenges in the country, thus improving the security situation of the population, contributing to the development of the country and achieving sustainable peace. The mission supports the functioning of coherent and accountable security providers, under full national ownership. EU Advisory Mission in the Central African Republic (EUAM RCA), EEAS website Delegation of the EU to Central African Republic, EEAS website ● Council of the EU   22/10/2024 15:55 | Meetings | Main results - Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 21-22 October 2024   The Agriculture and Fisheries Council met in Luxembourg on 21-22 October 2024. Fisheries ministers discussed fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea, reaching a political agreement on catch limits for 2025. Additionally, they also exchanged views on the upcoming meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). As far as agriculture is concerned, the Council took stock of the main challenges that the EU food chain is facing, and discussed trade-related agricultural issues, as well as the future CAP post-2027.