The Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries, Pierre Karleskind (Renew Europe, France), is rather satisfied with the measures announced and to be presented by the European Commission to help fishermen and women and aquaculturists whose activities are suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (see EUROPE 12453/11), in an interview with EUROPE on Thursday 26 March. According to him, British fishermen and women are living a no-deal Brexit. (Interview by Lionel Changeur)
Agence Europe - What is the current situation in the fisheries and aquaculture sector?
Pierre Karleskind - All over Europe, the large purchasers of fish have closed down (restaurants and canteens). In addition, citizens bought mostly pasta and rice to hold them over from the start of the first containment measures.
Demand has fallen sharply and logistical difficulties have arisen. The market is totally depressed and the Italian and Spanish markets are closed. Offshore fishing is no longer willing to go out and many vessels have had to deal with unsold fish.
There has been a radical change in consumption as a result of this crisis, even though representatives of the various links in the chain continue to encourage people to fish and consume healthy products.
Are you satisfied with the emergency measures taken by the European Commission?
As early as 13 March, the Commission presented this 37 billion euros package of structural funds (see EUROPE 12455/4). It includes a ‘fisheries’ component making it possible to mobilise mutual funds.
Problem: these types of funds only exist in four EU countries and not in the main fishing countries such as Spain, France and Germany. These funds exist, but we cannot use them.
But we are not going to make any amendments for a speedy adoption of the package.
The increase in the ceiling for de minimis aid (from 30 000 euros to 120 000 euros per company, editor's note) will make it possible to introduce arrangements. In France, for example, work is being done to guarantee a minimum income for boats going out to sea, even if prices are low or even unsold.
Are new measures necessary?
The Parliament Committee on Fisheries has presented the European Commission with ideas for changes to the rules of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
In agreement with professionals, we are asking for the ‘temporary cessation’ measure to be activated to compensate fishermen and women and shellfish farmers who can no longer work.
In addition, producer organisations must be given the means to play their role by intervening in the markets and stocking unsold fish. Storage aid had been abolished at European level in 2018. So we have to reintroduce it.
On Wednesday 25 March I had Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius on the line. He is fully on board with these requests for temporary cessation and storage aid. A proposal will be made in the coming days.
When could this aid be approved?
A meeting of the College of Commissioners is necessary to validate the proposal. Then Parliament will have to vote in plenary. The next session is scheduled for early May, which may be too late for additional emergency measures.
The Renew Europe group will therefore push for an extra session in April to adopt a new package of measures.
What stage are the fisheries discussions at with the United Kingdom?
Negotiations are suspended. I do not see how we can reach an agreement by the end of July or on the rest of the partnership before 31 December 2020.
Because of the coronavirus and the closure of markets, British fishermen and women find themselves saddled with their merchandise. They are discovering what it is like not to be able to sell in Europe. They’re living a hard Brexit ahead of schedule. Giving them pause to think about the fact that they need the European market to live.
What about the negotiations on the EMFF 2021-2027 fund?
The coronavirus will never, for me, be an argument for changing the debate on the next EMFF. We could just review, possibly, the crisis response arrangements. But if not, there is no reason to change the provisions of general law.
The Renew Europe group had voted against Parliament’s negotiating position on the grounds that provisions could introduce a danger of subsidies for the construction of new ships.
During the last interinstitutional negotiations, we decided to work with the EU Council and the Commission to assess in detail which measures may result in overfishing or dangerous increases in capacity and which are possible excesses. The text should be rewritten so as not to pave the way for misuse of these provisions. The sector will have to be given the means to modernise the fleet, while avoiding an increase in capacity.