The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting ended with the Ministers agreement on a general approach for the two main regulation proposals of the common fisheries policy (CFP) reform "package". This general approach constitutes a political agreement within the Council pending the future first-reading position of the European Parliament.

Ministers reached a general approach on the two main regulation proposals of the common fisheries policy (CFP) reform "package". The compromise supported by a majority of delegations developed proposals for several outstanding issues. For instance, the compromise aims to achieve maximum sustainable yields (MSY) by 2015 where possible (e.g when scientific advice on the stocks are available) and by 2020 at the latest. A consultation with third countries concerned will be initiated in case when the stocks are shared. The European Commission launched its reform proposal in July 2011.

In addition, the text establishes that Member States should manage fisheries in more detail through quantifiable targets linked to biological parameters as well as safeguard and remedies. With regard to the landing obligation and discards ban, a gradual approach of the policy is proposed but the aim is still the elimination of discards. Also, and as requested by many delegations, the agreement stipulates that transferable fishing concessions (TFCs) systems should be voluntary.

On the other hand, recitals and definitions, and the choice and formulation of Commission powers to adopt delegated acts or implementing acts (alignment of the text on the Lisbon Treaty) have to be further scrutinised after the general approach. Moreover, the Council took note of the Presidency's progress report on a proposal for a regulation on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) replacing the existing European Fisheries Fund.