After last week’s session in Strasbourg, the EU Parliament returns to Brussels this week with the Agriculture Committee meeting today and tomorrow.

Among the issues for debate are Anti Microbial Resistance (AMR) with a European One health action plan being considered through a report brought forward by Rapporteur Matt Carty.

The Committee will also consider the prospects and challenges for EU agriculture and debate its position on the upcoming Multi annual Financial Framework (MFF) the budget for the EU post 2020.

Tomorrow the Committee will host the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, the Current Council President, and receive a report from a representative from the Court of Auditors on Rural Development Programming with the theme “less complexity and more focus on results needed.”

Mercosur

A further effort is underway to conclude a Mercosur trade deal with the discussions in the margins of the WTO conference in Buenos Aires last month not reaching conclusion. This is one that causes greatest concern of all to Irish and EU farmers, particularly those involved in beef production.

The Irish Farmers Journal will be reporting on these and other issues from Brussels both online and in print on Thursday. There will also be an interview with Sean Kelly MEP on Irish Farmers Journal TV about where Ireland now stands in relation to its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with 2020 and 2030 targets.

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