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The Council discussed the latest developments in trade and the EU efforts to opening up new world markets and to promoting EU agricultural products. Particular attention was given to recent achievements, such as the agreement in principle on a EU-Japan free trade deal, but the Commission and member states also focused on bilateral and multilateral free trade negotiations, their substance, state of play and possible outcome. These include on-going negotiations with Mercosur, Mexico, the Philippines and Indonesia, and future ones. Outcome Document of the Council meeting

The European Commission will not re-authorise the herbicide glyphosate for use in the EU “without a qualified majority of member states”, EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis has told EU agriculture ministers. Andriukaitis made the comments at the Farm Council in Brussels yesterday (July 17), insisting that “this is and will remain a sharedresponsibility”. Original post: EU will only extend glyphosate license with national backing.

The Presidency presented its work programme and priorities in the areas of agriculture and fisheries, including simplification and the future of the CAP, as well as the monitoring of the market situation and ongoing trade negotiations. Emergency preparedness and antimicrobial resistance will also feature high in the next six-month agenda together with multi-annual management plans and technical measures in the field of fisheries. More details.

The UK government has been accused of being ‘unprepared for the most complex ever change to its food system’ as a result of Brexit, according to a highly critical report published by SPRU, the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex. Read more.

The EU and Brazil today (17 July) submitted to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) a joint proposal on support for agricultural production and food security measures. The objective is to limit market distortions, to ensure a global level-playing field for farmers while taking into account particular needs of developing countries. Read more.