EU Fisheries Ministers said on Wednesday 26 May that they wanted a full agreement with the UK on 2021 fishing quotas for shared fish stocks.
Quotas have been provisionally set until the end of July and the European Commission is negotiating on behalf of the EU with the UK to set final fishing opportunities for the rest of the year.
The UK has proposed to conclude a partial agreement “as an alternative to a comprehensive agreement”, according to the Commission’s note to Fisheries Ministers, dated 25 May and seen by EUROPE. “The partial agreement would include all the elements previously agreed and leave it to each party to decide on the elements not agreed”, according to the Commission.
Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius convened a virtual meeting on 17 May with the 11 Member State Ministers concerned. Ministers supported the Commissioner’s position to reject a partial agreement and to continue to seek a full and comprehensive agreement with the UK, “but not at any price”, the note said. The Commission thus favours a comprehensive agreement.
According to the note, “common ground” was found on many issues during the consultations. “All TAC levels have been agreed in advance”, with the exception of the Norway pout TAC. Other issues are part of the consultations (ceilings for over-quota fisheries, management of sea bass stocks, remedial/technical measures in the Celtic Sea...)
On 20 April, the UK presented a compromise proposal on the remaining issues. The EU has offered to accept a number of proposals from the UK.
On 10 May, the UK rejected EU offers on Norway pout, inter-area flexibility for mackerel and flexibilities for white fish.
The UK then suggested a partial agreement. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)