The EU Fisheries Ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday 22 September to discuss the future of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), following the European Commission’s proposals for the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2028-2034.
Currently (2021-2027), the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund has around €6.1 billion at its disposal (see EUROPE 13710/13). For the future 2028-2034 MFF, the Commission is proposing a minimum allocation of €2 billion specifically for the implementation of the CFP. Member States will be able to supplement this amount through their National and Regional Partnership Plans.
At a technical level, the discussions have already revealed criticism from several delegations, particularly concerning the minimum amount of €2 billion earmarked for fisheries and aquaculture over seven years and the new budget architecture proposed by the Commission.
United Kingdom and Norway. Ministers will also discuss the annual consultations with third countries on Total Allowable Catches (TACs) for 2026, concerning 88 quotas shared with the UK and 18 trilateral quotas also involving Norway.
The Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU hopes that these consultations can be concluded in time for the December discussions on fishing opportunities for 2026. “This year, we will be helped by the fact that, earlier this year, we concluded the long-term access agreement with the United Kingdom, which reduces some of the uncertainty surrounding the annual negotiations”, explained a senior European official.
Simpler regulations. At their working lunch on Monday, the ministers will discuss ways of simplifying regulations to make fishing more efficient and less bureaucratic. According to a senior European official, the debate should focus on how to “concentrate on the modernisation and ecological transition of the fishing fleet”. The challenges associated with multi-annual management plans could also be discussed, as could those relating to the simplification of the rules.
Without debate, the EU Council will adopt a regulation to counter unsustainable fishing practices by third countries (see EUROPE 13709/10). The issue of cormorants (see EUROPE 13712/6) will be discussed on Tuesday, under ‘other business’. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)