Commom agricultural policy CAP: risk and crisis management

The Council held an exchange of views on the communication from the Commission on risk and crisis management in agriculture. Delegations expressed their view in particular on the safety nets in the common market organisations (CMOs) in the event of market crises, possible public financing of risk-management measures and the three new options proposed by the Commission as management tools for crisis and risk-management measures.

Finally, the Presidency noted a broad consensus with regard to the conditions essential to the implementation of any new instruments:

- the introduction of new tools, and the related financing rules, must not undermine the often excellent operation of the instruments already existing now at national level, e.g. as regards insurance against disasters;

- the new measures must fully comply with the "green box" criteria as defined by the World Trade Organisation (WTO);

- although public financing may be essential, especially for the establishment and smooth start-up of new tools, joint responsibility and therefore financial assistance from agricultural producers is also essential.

The Presidency concluded that the Council's consideration of the matter had provided the Commission with sufficient indications to guide it in its consideration and its future proceedings in such a way that they could be taken into account in the proposals to be submitted to the Council in the near future.