On Monday 19 February, the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council confirmed that EU fisheries ministers will be holding discussions on 24 and 25 March in Bruges, Belgium, on the future of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
On Monday, Hilde Crevits, Vice-Minister-President of the Flemish Government and Flemish Minister for Welfare, Public Health, Family and Fisheries, presented the priorities of the Belgian Presidency of the Council in the field of fisheries. She stated that a document would be presented at the informal meeting in Bruges on the future of the fisheries sector, with a view to proposals during the new mandates of the Council and the European Parliament.
Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spanish) called for a reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to correct certain rules. Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR, Dutch) criticised in particular the EU rules on the obligation to land catches.
Among the other priorities, Hilde Crevits mentioned the issue of the energy performance of fishing vessels, which had already been raised at the informal meeting in Vigo (see EUROPE 13225/4), under the Spanish Presidency of the Council.
She stressed the importance of respecting the three pillars of the CFP (economic, social and environmental) and pointed out that the EU imports 70% of its fishery product needs. She called for an interinstitutional agreement to be reached before the end of June on an urgent amendment to the multiannual management plans (see EUROPE 13329/20).
Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spanish) spoke of the problems concerning the fisheries agreements with Morocco (judgments of the General Court of the EU are expected, see EUROPE 13225/5) and Senegal (Spanish vessels have had to remain docked).
Lastly, Hilde Crevits, like several other MEPs, denounced Norway’s unilateral actions (see EUROPE 13277/33) on fisheries. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)