Main results

Fisheries

2020 catch limits in the Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea and for the EU vessels outside of EU-waters

The Council reached agreement on 2020 catch limits for the 89 main commercial fish stocks. The agreement is based on a strong commitment to the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), and will apply as from 1 January 2020.

The quota-setting exercise is never easy and this year it took us several hours of negotiations to get to an agreement. But I am glad to announce that it is a balanced one that reconciles all the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy - environmental and socio-economic sustainability - to the benefit of the fish stocks, fishing sector and the EU citizens at large. Jari Leppä, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of Finland and President of the Council

Baltic Sea fisheries crisis package

The Council agreed on a general approach on a regulation addressing the difficult situation of Western herring and cod fisheries in the Baltic Sea.

The general approach amends two existing pieces of legislation - the Baltic Sea multi-annual plan and the current European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) in order to allow for permanent cessation to be used to scrap vessels targeting Eastern and Western Baltic cod and Western Baltic herring.

In October the Council took bold decisions to allow for a gradual recovery of the Baltic cod and Western herring stocks, but we are all very well aware of the disruptive socio-economic consequences that these will have on local fishing communities. We hope to reach agreement with the European Parliament as soon as possible on new rules that will help fishermen adjust to this transition and enable them to contribute to sustainable fisheries in the Baltic Sea. Jari Leppä, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of Finland and President of the Council

Agriculture

Post 2020 Common Agricultural Policy reform package

In public session the Council discussed a presidency progress report on the work carried out in the Council on all the Commission proposals of the CAP reform package, which includes regulations on CAP strategic plans, financing, management and monitoring of the CAP, and the common organisation of agricultural products.

Forests are key for a sustainable future

High level event on World's forests

Over lunch ministers informally discussed the topic "World's forests for the sustainable future" with the Director General of the FAO Qu Dongyu and Commissioners Urpilainen and Wojciechowski.

On the same day the Council adopted conclusions, which provide political guidance on protecting and restoring the world's forests in response to the Commission's communication on stepping up EU action in this area.

"Finland is the most heavily-forested country in Europe and sustainable forest management has been one of the priorities of our Presidency. We welcome the Council conclusions that were agreed today on stepping up EU action to protect and restore the world’s forests. They set out our joint vision for the future and our commitment to take practical steps to manage forests sustainably and halt deforestation. Jari Leppä, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of Finland and President of the Council

Other topics on the agenda

The Council adopted conclusions on:

animal welfare

food fraud

Ministers were also informed about: