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Agricultural Ministers discussed sustainable animal husbandry at the informal meeting

Article date: 2011, May 31 - 11:23pm Last modified date: 2011, July 12 - 11:24am
animal husbandryFazekasmilk market
The Agricultural Council discussed ways the common agricultural policy (CAP) should contribute to sustainable animal husbandry in Europe, at its informal meeting on 31 May 2011 in Debrecen, Eastern Hungary. The debate had to be significantly shortened due to the issue of the E. coli infection, which so far has already taken a total of 14 deaths in Germany; this issue was placed on the agenda at the last minute.

The discussion focused on three questions: how CAP should counter-balance the negative consequences of phasing out the milk quota system by 2015; who should pay the additional costs caused by the need to comply with the EU’s higher animal welfare and environmental requirements; and how animal husbandry could be protected from  grain price volatility caused by the removal of regulations in the grain market.

In his opening speech, Minister of Rural Development, Sándor Fazekas highlighted that animal husbandry in the EU is also a welfare, environmental and employment issue. Mr Fazekas said that this sector currently faces several challenges. First: the termination of the milk quota system in 2015 will result in the increase of milk production in some competitive regions; however, in areas with unfavourable natural conditions, it might even disappear, Mr Fazekas said.

It is another risk factor that animal welfare standards and environmental requirements applying to animal husbandry are more stringent in the EU than in many other countries in the world, which imposes additional costs on European breeders. Owing to the stringent EU regulations, the competitiveness of the European animal husbandry sector has weakened, the Minister underlined.

Thirdly, Mr Fazekas highlighted that the former regulated grain market of the EU, has traditionally ensured the stablity of fodder prices for animal husbandry, but since 2003, the fluctuation in grain market prices have become quite frequent. This volatility of fodder prices has increased risks and has placed financial burdens on the animal husbandry sector.

Practically, all contributions to the debate emphasised on the production of milk and how it will have to be maintained in disadvantaged regions, even after phasing out the milk quota system. For this purpose, several participants have urged for income support or other forms of production incentives.
Regarding the higher animal welfare and environment protection standards, almost every participant mentioned that the EU should convince third countries to comply with the higher requirements accepted in the EU. To this end, bilateral negotiations and international forums should be utilised, ministers said.

Several ministers have urged the mitigation of grain price volatility by various techniques. Examples included more flexible intervention procedures or the encouragement of innovation.

animal husbandryFazekasmilk market

Event information

Agriculture and Fisheries Council - informal meeting

  • Date: 2011. May 29. - 2011. May 31.
  • Negotiations of agricultural, fisheries and rural issues.
  • Location: Kölcsey Központ Debrecen
  • Address: Hungary 4026 Debrecen, Hunyadi János utca 1.
  • Contact: Annamária Farkas, press officer - 1055 Budapest, Kossuth tér 11., Telefon: (06-1) 795-2139, Mobil: 06 30 920-9616, e-mail: annamaria.farkas@vm.gov.hu

  • Agenda for the press
    Informal Meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council

    (Debrecen, 29–31 May 2011)

    Attention! This programme may be subject to changes. Please check information before the event.
     

    HB desk: e-mail: hb@dunatv.hu
    Telephone: +36 1 489-1612
    Mobile: +36 30 813-9911

    We would like to inform you that accreditated journalists can pick up their badges on:


    May 29 (Sunday): Between 3.00 am-5.30 am in the Kölcsey Center (4026 Debrecen, Hunyadi u. 1-3)
    May 30 (Monday): From 7.30 am at the University of Debrecen Centre for Agricultural Sciences (4032 Debrecen, Böszörményi út 138. )

    Media desk:
    Petra Hajdu: +36 30 226 4876 (petra.hajdu@mfa.gov.hu)
    Anna Fehér: +36 30 268 1494 (anna.feher@mfa.gov.hu)


    30 May 2011,
    Monday
    On Monday all programs are OPEN FOR THE PRESS!

    05.30 The shuttle bus leaves at 5.30 am from the entrance of the Ethnographic Museum (12. Kossuth L. Square, Budapest 5th district) to the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Debrecen

    If you want to use the bus service, please contact us via e-mail at pressaccr@eu2011.hu indicating your name, media outlet and e-mail address.

    08.15 Two shuttle buses leave from:

    • Hotel Best Western (4026 Debrecen Kálvin tér 4.)
    • Hotel Obester (4026 Debrecen, Péterfia u.49.)

    to the Faculty of Agriculture of the Univerity of Debrecen

    We provide buses for the journalists during the whole day.

    08.50 Arrival at the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Debrecen

    09.00- Presentation of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of

    09.30 Debrecen (organized by the University of Debrecen)

    09.00- Greetings by István Fábián, Rector of the University of Debrecen
    09.05 in the Assembly Hall of the University

    09.05- Greetings by József Prokisch, Managing Director of Innovative
    09.10 Food Industry Business Cluster in the Assembly Hall
    of the University of Debrecen

    09.15- “Bio-picnic” in the Assembly Hall of the University of Debrecen;
    09.30 Presentation and tasting of innovative food

    09.45 Transfer to Hortobágy

    10.45 Arrival of ministerial delegation at Hortobágy, Shepherd Museum

    10.45- Visiting the Shepherd Museum and the open-air market
    11.00 (organized by the Hortobágy National Park)

    11.00- Visiting the court of artisans at the Visitor’s Centre
    11.15 (organized by the Hortobágy National Park)

    11.30 Arrival of ministerial delegation at Máta

    11.30- Equestrian -show at the Stud Farm of Máta
    12.10 (organized by the Hortobágy National Park)

    12.30- The official opening ceremony of Hortobágy Tavern
    13.00 (organized by the Hortobágy National Park)

    13.00- Lunch at Hortobágy
    14.45

    14.45- The ceremonial presentation of of Hortobágy region
    15.15 at the Nine Arch Bridge
    (organized by the Hortobágy National Park)

    15.15- Cultural program (Equestrian -show)

    15.50- Visiting Hortobágy Wild Life Park
    16.50

    31 May 2011,
    Tuesday

    Meetings in the Kölcsey Centre are not open for the press.
    Parts of the meetings will be broadcast live by the Host Broadcaster (HB) at the press centre.
    Photo and TV reporters can register for taking photographs at the opening of the meetings and making family photos at the HB desk in the press centre.
    Journalists can attend the arrival of Delegations and the doorsteps with escort.

    08.45 Arrival of ministerial delegation at Kölcsey Centre

    09.00 Family Photo in the Ballroom of Kölcsey Centre

    09.10 - 12.20 Working session of Ministers for Agriculture in the Banquet Hall of Kölcsey Cetre

    12.30- Buffet lunch in the Ballroom of Kölcsey Centre
    14.00

    12.45- Press conference in the ground floor chamber of
    13.00 Kölcsey Centre

     

    Press Centre

    Address:Kölcsey Központ; Debrecen, Hunyadi u. 1–3.

    Opening hours:30–31 May 2011, all day from 8:00 am

    Services:

    4 telephones, 1 fax, 2 printers, 1 small photocopier, 10 laptops, 1 shredder, 40 workstations, 2 press booths for four persons each

    live coverage of the press conference with interpreting service

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