Raad Landbouw en Visserij, Brussel - Montesquieu Instituut

At its Monday session, dedicated to agricultural issues, the Council will continue discussion of the draft regulation on support for rural development, which is part of the legislative package for the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP).

The proposed regulation covers voluntary measures for rural development, adapted to national and regional specificities, whereby member states draw up and co-finance with the EU multiannual programmes under a common framework. The priorities under this regulation are: fostering knowledge transfer and innovation, enhancing competitiveness, preserving ecosystems, and promoting food chain organisation and risk management, resource efficiency and a shift to a more sustainable agricultural economy, as well as social inclusion, poverty reduction and economic development in rural areas.

On Tuesday, during a half-day session devoted to fisheries issues, ministers will hold a debate on a proposal for a new European maritime and fisheries fund (EMFF), whose general objective is to support the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and to further develop the EU's integrated maritime policy by financing some of the priorities identified.

The EMFF proposal has to be seen in the context of the new multiannual financial framework for the years 2014 to 2020, currently under discussion, and is part of the CFP reform package, which will lay down the legislative framework for this policy area for the same period.

The presidency will hold a press briefing in the Council press room on Wednesday 19 September

at 14.30.

Press conferences will take place both days at the end of the meeting.

A presidency briefing, agenda and background note will be published on the Council website closer to the date of the meeting.