On Wednesday 19 April, the European Parliament adopted by a large majority (593 votes in favour, 7 against and 43 abstentions) the report by Bernd Lange (S&D, German) recommending that the EU ratify the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreement on illegal fishing subsidies.
This agreement was reached in Geneva at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference on 17 June 2022 (see EUROPE 12974/2) and must be ratified by all members to enter into force. It will allow the prohibition of subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities on overfished fish stocks.
In March, WTO Deputy Director Angela Ellard called on the EU to ratify the agreement quickly, “to show leadership” to other countries around the world.
With this vote, the European Parliament gives its approval for the EU to ratify the protocol amending the Marrakech Agreement to include the new rules on fisheries.
See the recommendation: https://aeur.eu/f/6dz (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)