The Council reached three important political agreements for Europe's agriculture and fisheries sectors during the two-day Council in Luxembourg. Ministers agreed a general approach on the common agriculture policy (CAP) reform package, adopted conclusions on the farm to fork strategy and decided the fishing opportunities in the Baltic Sea for 2021.

EU agriculture ministers met in Brussels to advance discussions on the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and exchange views on trade-related issues in the agricultural sector.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on its future Action Plan on Organic Farming. This sector will play an important role in achieving the European Green Deal ambition, and reaching the objectives set out in the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies.

The Commission today adopted its proposal for fishing opportunities for 2021 for the Baltic Sea. The Commission proposes to increase fishing opportunities for herring in the Gulf of Riga and main basin salmon, whilst maintaining the current levels for herring in the Gulf of Bothnia, sprat and plaice. The Commission proposes to decrease fishing opportunities for the remaining stocks covered by the proposal.

In the first physical meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council since January 2020, ministers discussed in detail the farm to fork strategy, the green architecture of the common agriculture policy (CAP) reform package and the market situation in the context of the COVID-19 crisis. The German presidency presented its work programme and priorities in the area of agriculture and fisheries.

Agriculture and fisheries ministers exchanged views on the progress achieved on the common agricultural policy reform and the road ahead. They also discussed the fishing opportunities for 2021.

The Commission adopted a report on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) which reveals that, while the EU's framework for marine environmental protection is one of the most comprehensive and ambitious worldwide, persistent challenges remain, such as excess nutrients, underwater noise, plastic litter, and other types of pollution as well as unsustainable fishing.

MEPs denounced racism and police violence and called for progress on EU-UK negotiations and recovery plans during a packed plenary session on 17-19 June.

Today, the European Commission published “The EU Blue Economy Report 2020”, providing an overview of the performance of the EU economic sectors related to oceans and the coastal environment.

To prevent water shortages in the EU, Parliament today approved the Water Reuse Regulation. The new law defines minimum requirements at European level for the first time for reclaimed water (i.e. urban wastewater that has been treated in a reclamation plant) to be used for agricultural purposes in a safe way, protecting people and the environment.

The Commission is taking swift action and proposes additional exceptional measures to further support agricultural and food markets most affected. The EU agri-food sector is showing resilience in these unprecedented times, following the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Agri-food and drink products whose names are protected by the European Union as “Geographical Indications” (GIs) represent a sales value of €74.76 billion, according to a study published today by the European Commission.

With measures along the entire life cycle of products, the new Action Plan aims to make our economy fit for a green future, strengthen our competitiveness while protecting the environment and give new rights to consumers.

The BlueInvest Fund will be managed by the European Investment Fund and will provide financing to underlying equity funds that strategically target and support the innovative blue economy.

The Council exchanged views on the European Green Deal and the regulation on CAP transitional rules.

The Council reached a political agreement on catch limits in the Atlantic and North Sea for 2020 and agreed on a general approach on a crisis package for Baltic Sea fisheries. The Council also had an exchange of views on a progress report on the post-2020 CAP reform package.