Pigmeat: common organisation of the markets

The Council adopted a statement which stipulates that a qualified majority of Member States cannot be achieved on the basis of the Commission proposal. The Council therefore wishes to continue giving consideration to alternative means so as to anticipate market disturbances more effectively while respecting market mechanisms and improving the sector's competitiveness at the European level with due regard for environmental rules. The Council calls on the Commission to take all steps to increase the reliability of market forecasts and to explore, where appropriate, the scope for collating the information gathered under the health monitoring programmes. The Council also requests the Commission to consider alternative short-term measures in order to absorb the crises while preserving the dynamic of the market and taking into account the need for pigfarmers to be competitive. Given that the development of pig products on lucrative external markets contributes to market stabilisation, the Council would like the Commission to make full use of the aid arrangements for promotion in third countries. �