On Thursday 19 March, the Europêche organisation asked the European authorities to put in place measures in order "to overcome the operational, commercial and safety problems" currently facing the fisheries sector due to the protective measures taken against the spread of the coronavirus (see EUROPE 12449/13).
The sector is concerned about “severe operational problems” in terms of access to ports and the supply of equipment. It also notes a “collapse in first-sale fish prices, largely due to the closure of restaurants, schools, businesses and food markets”.
Europêche is calling for legislative changes to enable fishermen to carry over more than the existing 10% of their fishing quotas to next year and for “fair” intervention prices for unsold fish. EU shipowners are also advocating a series of logistical measures and the supply of masks and gloves both to ships and to fish markets or fish auction halls.
Europêche also urges policy-makers to modify the regulation on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) in order to provide financial aid for those fishing companies that are forced to cease their operations for reasons stemming from the pandemic.
The sector calls on Member States to introduce national measures such as VAT reduction, suspension of social security contributions and tax exemptions.
In addition, “it only seems logical to extend the Brexit transition period with another 12 months at least”.
To read Europêche's proposals: http://bit.ly/3deKzyX (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)