The next Agriculture and Fisheries Council is on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19 March in Brussels. I will be representing the UK. Richard Lochhead MSP, Alun Davies AM and Michelle O’Neill MLA will also attend.

The two-day meeting will concentrate on the CAP reform package. Negotiations will centre on the four regulations that make up the package. The Irish presidency is seeking to agree a mandate on the CAP reform package at this Council to enable it to start negotiations with the European Parliament. If this can be achieved it will pave the way for a full political agreement in June.

There is one item under any other business regarding a Dutch request to discuss EU trade in plants with Russia.