This is the first pilot for the Podcast at DG Comm

On 19 July 2021, Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, attended the Agriculture and Fisheries Council, organised by the Slovenian presidency. The meeting was chaired by Jože Podgoršek, Slovenian Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Food. Following the adoption of ‘A’ items, the session begun with a presentation by the presidency of its work programme for agriculture and fisheries. Ministers approved the Council’s conclusions on the action plan for the development of organic production, which was followed by information from the Commission on trade-related agriculture issues, as well as ‘any other business’ (AOB) items proposed by delegations on the price of feed, apiculture, the recent wildfire in Cyprus and frost damage to olive trees in Greece. They also discussed the effect on agriculture of climate change and the transition to more sustainable food systems with Tom Vilsack, US State Secretary for Agriculture, and the European Citizens’ Initiative ‘End the Cage Age’, animal welfare in turkey husbandry, and the killing of male chicks in the egg industry.This video shows the press conference given by Stella Kyriakides and Jože Podgoršek following the meeting.

On 14 July 2021, Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, and Commissioner for Climate Action Policy, participated in the session of the ENVI Committee, chaired by Pascal Canfin, Chair of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food safety (ENVI) of the European Parliament.On the same day, the European Commission adopted a package of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Achieving these emission reductions in the next decade is crucial to Europe becoming the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and making the European Green Deal a reality. With these proposals, the Commission is presenting the legislative tools to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate Law and fundamentally transform our economy and society for a fair, green and prosperous future.On this occasion, Frans Timmermans presented the Fit for 2030 Package, which aims to align climate and energy policies with the new objectives of the European Climate Law to the ENVI Committee. The package comprises, inter alia, legislative proposals for the revision of the EU ETS and for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), amendments to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Directives, as well as a revision of the CO2 standards for cars, LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry) and Effort Sharing Regulations. This video shows the presentation given by Frans Timmermans before the exchange of views with the Members of the European Parliament of the ENVI Committee.

On 5 July 2021, Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, participated in the plenary session of the European Parliament, in Strasbourg.Among other items, he addressed the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.This video shows the closing statements given by Rosa d'Amato, Member of the European Parliament, and by Virginijus Sinkevičius after the debate with Members of the European Parliament.

On 5 July 2021, Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, participated in the plenary session of the European Parliament, in Strasbourg.Among other items, he addressed the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.This video shows the opening statements given by Gabriel Mato, Member of the European Parliament, and by Virginijus Sinkevičius, before the debate with Members of the European Parliament.

On 5 July 2021, Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, participated in the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.On this occasion, she addressed, on behalf of Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, the impact on the fishing sector of offshore windfarms and other renewable energy systems.This video shows the short presentation given by Peter van Dalen, Member of the European Parliament, and Rapporteur, and by Dubravka Šuica, in front of the Members of the European Parliament.

On 28 june 2021, Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture, attended the 3806th meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council chaired by Maria do Céu Antunes, Portuguese Minister for Agriculture, in Luxembourg.The main item on the agenda meeting was the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform. The Portuguese Presidency asked EU Ministers to accept the provisional agreement on the main political issues reached with the European Parliament during inter-institutional negotiations.This video shows a joint press conference given by the two officials following the Council meeting.

On 28 June 2021, Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, attended the 3806th meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council chaired by Ricardo Serrão Santos, Portuguese Minister for Maritime Affairs, in Luxembourg.During the Council meeting, the EU Ministers were asked to approve the Council’s General Approach on the new Regulation on Fisheries Control. The Commission then provided information on the state of play of the Common Fisheries Policy and fishing opportunities for 2022, as well as on the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive and on the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. Information were also provided by delegations regarding the current situation in the North East Atlantic.This video shows a joint press conference given by the two officials following the Council meeting.

On 15 June 2021, Maria do Céu Antunes, Portuguese Minister for Agriculture, and President in office of the Council, and Janusz Wojciechowski, European Commissioner for Agriculture, gave a joint press conference following the informal Meeting of Ministers for Agriculture and Fisheries, held in Lisbon, Portugal.On this occasion, they addressed the outcome of the meeting, namely, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform.

On 10 June 2021, Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, attended a plenary session of the EP in Strasbourg, France, on the European Citizens' Initiative "End the cage age".The ‘End the Cage Age’ European citizens’ initiative calls on the Commission to propose legislation to ban the use of cages for farmed animals (e.g. laying hens, rabbits, pigs, calves). The organisers want to bring an end to what they describe as the inhumane treatment of these animals.This video shows an opening statement given by Stella Kyriakides on this occasion.

On 10 June 2021, Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, attended a plenary session of the EP in Strasbourg, France, on the European Citizens' Initiative "End the cage age".The ‘End the Cage Age’ European citizens’ initiative calls on the Commission to propose legislation to ban the use of cages for farmed animals (e.g. laying hens, rabbits, pigs, calves). The organisers want to bring an end to what they describe as the inhumane treatment of these animals.This video shows a closing statement given by Stella Kyriakides on this occasion.