Ministers held three orientation debates within the framework of the common agricultural policy (CAP) reform. The discussions focussed on specific issues in:
The debate on the Single CMO Regulation revolves around the two following aspects of the proposal:
1) Compulsory recognition of producer organisations: delegations generally agreed with the objective of strengthening the position of primary producers in the food chain, but views differed on how this could best be achieved. There was insufficient support for the proposed compulsory recognition of producer and inter-branch organisations in all sectors, nor for adding specific other sectors to those already subject to such recognition (POs are recognised only in the milk, fruit and vegetables, olive oil and table olives and for some other minor sectors while IBOs are recognised for fruit and vegetables, tobacco and olive oil/ table olives).
2) Competition rules: most delegations supported the Commission proposal but a number of delegations considered that more work needed to be done at a technical level with regard to the approach to producer organisations with a dominant position in the market.
The Council is expected to adopt a partial general approach on the single CMO and on the other CAP reform proposals by the end of the year under the Cypriot Presidency.