Agriculture

During its Presidency, Finland intends to discuss the challenges ahead for an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable agricultural policy known as the European model of agriculture. After several reforms in recent years, the common agricultural policy still faces challenges for the future, arising from within the EU and from outside it.

With regard to the market organisations of the common agricultural policy, Finland will continue to work on the Communication from the Council on the reform of the wine sector and start work on the Commission proposal. Another goal will be to reach a decision on the reform of the banana market organisation.

Other important legislative projects to be dealt with during Finland¿s Presidency include the reforms of legislation relating to spirit drinks and organic farming. The first topic will be dealt with under the codecision procedure with the European Parliament. Finland¿s objective is to achieve a political agreement on both proposals during the autumn.

The Council will assess the role of renewable energy sources in the common agricultural policy on the basis of the Commission¿s Biomass Action Plan. Finland's goal is to achieve political agreement on the reform of the support scheme for energy crops.

Veterinary and plant health

In the veterinary sector, Finland will take forward the discussion on the Community policy on animal health and on the ways of developing it. The focus will be on the prevention of animal diseases. In cooperation with the Commission, Finland will organise a conference on the Community Animal Health Policy for 2007-13. The Council will also work on a number of animal welfare measures. For example, Finland will continue the work on a proposal for the protection of chickens kept for meat production, with a view to achieving political agreement in the Council. Finland is also eager to make progress in food safety. This matter will also be highlighted in the negotiations between the EU and third countries.

In relation to plant health, the Council will work actively on the reform of the legislation on pesticides.

Forestry

During Finland¿s Presidency, the Council will discuss the EU Forest Action Plan, with a view to drafting Council Conclusions on the matter. Council Conclusions will also be drawn up on the EU¿s preparations for the forthcoming session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), which is hoped to approve a global forest protection instrument.

Fisheries

The Council will take decisions on Community fishing opportunities for the Baltic Sea and other waters for 2007 and fishing opportunities for deep sea species for 2007-08. These decisions include the quotas of different fish stocks for the Member States.