Fisheries Allocations, Environment and Climate in the EU Fisheries and Agriculture Council

Fishing in the Baltic Sea 2022

Each year, the European Commission submits plans for permitted fishing conditions in the Baltic Sea next year. Ministers are expected to reach an agreement at this meeting.

The European Commission’s proposal for 2022 regulates species of cod, herring, sprat, salmon and blaze. The plan means that fishing opportunities will decrease in 2022 compared to 2021. This applies to fishing for coat and herring above all else. The European Commission proposes to ban targeted coat fishing in the western Baltic Sea and to continue the current ban on fishing targeting the eastern shores. Only unavoidable by-catches are allowed.

It was also proposed that fishing for herring would be reduced by stopping in the western Baltic Sea and lowering in the Central Baltic Sea.

For salmon fishing, the European Commission proposes a ban on fishing south of the Aland Sea.

The proposal includes closures to the sea and continued restrictions on recreational fishing.

The project is expected to have a negative impact on Swedish coastal fishing, coastal communities and fish processing companies in all member states around the Baltic Sea.

The Government considers it very important that actions and decisions be taken on the basis of the scientific advice taken. Fishing for the long haul should be environmentally friendly. The government supports the overall direction of the proposal, but criticizes some details in regulating recreational fishing.

Fishing in waters shared by the European Union with the United Kingdom, Norway and other coastal states

The EU has sought the views of member states prior to discussions with the United Kingdom, Norway and other coastal states on fishing in waters shared by the EU with these countries by 2022.

The European Union holds annual joint negotiations with Norway on joint stock fishing in the North Sea and Skjராகrk. Brexit means that from 2021 most of the species in the North Sea will be shared between the European Union, Norway and the United Kingdom. Capture levels should therefore be determined between the three parties.

The Government considers that the fisheries policy on waters shared by the EU and the United Kingdom should be decided in accordance with the EU General Fisheries Policy and the Convention on Trade and Cooperation.

The government generally considers that fishing should be decided in accordance with the objectives and principles of fisheries policy and should be sought in consultations with the EU on shares to be shared with countries outside the EU. It is important to achieve stock level targets that are high enough to provide maximum sustainable returns.

Trade standards for agricultural products

From farm to fork strategy, the European Commission has announced that it will review marketing standards for various agricultural products. The purpose of the review is to standardize marketing standards to facilitate sustainability in the food chain. The Commission also wants to reconsider the possibility of simplifying standards.

At the meeting, ministers will have the opportunity to discuss the issue. The government is in favor of the series review.

EU Forest Strategy for 2030

Ministers will discuss the proposed forest strategy.

This strategy is the framework for efforts aimed at growing, healthy, diverse and resilient forests in the EU. It will contribute to the climate area, promote biodiversity and protect livelihoods and support a sustainable forest-based survival economy. This strategy is rooted in the European Green and 2030 EU biodiversity strategy.

The government welcomes the high priority given by the European Commission to environmental and climate issues. The government acknowledges the challenges of losing biodiversity and acknowledges that forests play an important role in climate change. The government is positive that this strategy emphasizes the diversity of the forest and the European Commission emphasizes the importance of research and innovation. At the same time, some parts of the strategy include increasingly comprehensive control, centralization and management elements, which are at odds with national self-determination. The government also considers this strategy to be very limited in terms of the contribution of forests and forestry to the community.

The new proposals should be consistent with sustainable active forest cover and avoid comprehensive regulation at the EU level.

55 applies to the project

At the meeting, the ministers will discuss the contribution of agriculture and forestry to Fit for the 55 package targets.

The proposals for Fit 55 are aimed at implementing the EU’s tough climate targets for 2030 and include measures to reduce the EU’s net emissions by at least 55 percent compared to the 1990 levels. It sets the direction for the long-term climate target for climate neutrality by 2050.

Many of the 13 proposals in the Fit for 55 will affect EU agriculture and forestry.

The government welcomes the growing ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and emphasizes that the 2030 goal will be achieved mainly by phasing out fossil fuels.

The government shares the EU’s assessment that it must oppose reducing carbon emissions within the EU to achieve its long-term goal of climate neutrality. Therefore all EU members should contribute to a carbon sink based on their potential and maintained or socio-economically efficient.

However, the government notes that the computational model used for land use and forestry overestimates the Swedish carbon sink. The government considers that the Swedish commitment should be reduced to a level that will support a steady decline in line with the national assessment.

National Strategic Plans for Agricultural Policy

At the meeting, ministers will be able to comment on the work on national strategic plans under the EU Public Agriculture Policy. The plans must be submitted to the European Commission by the end of December this year.

Efforts for better animal welfare

Within the framework from farm to fork strategy, EU Animal Welfare Law will be reviewed.

For many years, Sweden has been cooperating with Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium on various animal health issues. At the meeting, the panel will inform the European Commission of the new status paper they have sent before the upcoming review. The Standing Statement emphasizes that the law should be ambitious and enhance the welfare of animals within the Union and include aspects that are left out today. It welcomes the European Commission’s proposal that the rules should contribute to an equality and to review the efforts of citizens whose cages have ended.

Information

The Slovenian President’s Organization

Italy, President of the G20, will address the G20 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting on Global Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture in September.

Belgium will provide information on the pressing profitability of the EU pork sector.

Secretary of State Per Galenberg will represent the government at the meeting.

The meeting will take place in Luxembourg.