Polish Presidency

Summing up the measures taken by the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, Minister Siekierski pointed to the progress in the work on many important legislative proposals and to a number of debates held on issues essential to EU agriculture. The measures taken by Poland in many cases ended with summaries and recommendations for the European Commission. The debates helped bring the positions of the Member States closer together, identify potential directions of development and key challenges for agriculture.

– The principle of our activity was dialogue and cooperation to improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and increase its resilience to crises. These are the issues necessary to stabilise farmers’ income and guarantee food security – stressed Minister Siekierski.

Priorities of the Danish Presidency

The priorities of the Danish Presidency are to simplify and better regulate the EU policy in the field of agriculture, food and fisheries. Denmark will seek to provide a green, simple and market-oriented Common Agricultural Policy that supports climate and environmental measures and strengthens competitiveness and innovation. It will continue the work carried out by the Polish Presidency to empower farmers in the food supply chain, protect animals during transport and in the field of new genomic techniques.

 

Poland’s position on international trade

Minister Siekierski pointed out that as the Presidency we had initiated and conducted debates on international trade in agricultural goods, and also presented initiatives to the European Commission with respect to the protection of the agricultural sector in trade agreements.

– Further liberalisation of trade with Ukraine should be gradual, mutual and restricted by tariff quotas in the case of sensitive goods as well as should be linked to the adaptation of the Ukrainian legislation to the EU standards and requirements concerning food safety and sustainable development – stressed the head of the Polish Ministry of Agriculture.

Trio Presidency

Minister Czesław Siekierski assured that Poland would fully cooperate with the Danish Presidency and support the debate and the course of the legislative process concerning all documents related to agriculture and fisheries. In addition, we will actively participate in the further work of the Council.

– We want to have a significant impact on the regulations with regard to the future Common Agricultural Policy, the CAP simplification package, the empowerment of farmers in the food supply chain as well as veterinary and phytosanitary issues – said Minister Siekierski.