The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Elizabeth Truss)
The Agriculture and Fisheries Council will take place on 15 February in Brussels. My hon. friend, the Minister of State for farming, food and marine environment (George Eustice), will represent the UK.
As the provisional agenda stands, the following items will be discussed:
The primary focus will be a first reading proposal on the sustainable management of external fishing fleets.
There will be a presentation by the presidency on the work programme for the Dutch presidency, as well as a presentation by the Commission on international agricultural trade issues.
An exchange of views on animal welfare, as well as a long-term strategy for agricultural research will also take place.
There are currently four confirmed any other business items:
Conference on antimicrobial resistance (tabled by the presidency)
African swine fever (tabled by the Polish delegation)
Difficult situation in milk and pig sectors (tabled by the Polish delegation)
Market situation (tabled by the Spanish delegation).
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