Croatian Presidency of EU Council to work to prevent support that increases fisheries capacity

On Tuesday 21 January, the Croatian Presidency of the Council of the EU indicated that it would be doing its utmost to make maximum progress in the negotiations on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12397/13).

Negotiations on this sensitive issue are conducted in trilogue (between the European Commission, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament). In response to questions from members of the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries, Marija Vučković, Croatia’s Agriculture Minister, said that she did not want to provide details about the timetable, but that the Presidency will hold “as many trilogues as it needs to” during the semester.

She hopes that an agreement can be reached “within a reasonable period of time” so as to avoid any disruptions in payments to fishermen. Vučković said that she was optimistic: “We'll come to an agreement in the next few months”, she said.

In a reply to a question from Clara Eugenia Aguilera García (S&D, Spain), she said particularly that, as part of the post-2020 EMFF, she will defend a position that will mean not increasing the capacities of fishing fleets. However, a number of factors will need to be taken into account, including the need to modernise vessels, improve safety on board and plan for generational change (bringing young people into the industry).

Caroline Roose (Greens-EFA, France) criticised provisions in the positions taken by the European Parliament and Council of the EU that will increase fisheries subsidies, particularly the provisions that will allow new engines. 

Brexit. In response to a question from Pierre Karleskind (Renew Europe, France) on ways of ensuring that fishermen, particularly French fishermen, have access to British waters, Vučković recommended that negotiations on fisheries arrangements should start as soon as possible.

The Croatian Presidency also hopes the Council of the EU will agree on a general approach with regard to the proposal for revising the checks on fishing activities. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)