On Tuesday 23 September, the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries expressed to Commissioner Costas Kadis its disapproval of the proposal to reduce fisheries funding by two-thirds for the 2028-2034 period.
The structured dialogue between MEPs and the Commissioner turned into a series of statements of criticism regarding this reduction, which was deemed unacceptable (see EUROPE 13714/2).
“You have achieved a very difficult feat in this Committee, which is to achieve unanimous agreement against the reduction in the fisheries budget for 2028-2034”, said Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spanish), addressing Commissioner Kadis. Mr Mato asked him to present a revised package of proposals “if you want to negotiate with the European Parliament”. “Nobody would like to be in your shoes”, added Isabelle Le Callennec (EPP, French).
André Rodrigues (S&D, Portuguese) criticised Mr Kadis for presenting “the biggest budget cut ever” in the funding of a policy that sustains Europe’s fishermen. The cuts also affect the POSEI funds, intended to support the outermost regions.
Ton Diepeveen (PfE, Dutch) called for the current budget of €6.1 billion to be maintained. Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR, Dutch) felt that the funds had “virtually disappeared” with the proposal to set the envelope at €2 billion, and called for a separate budget for fisheries to be maintained, rather than diluted in the single national plans. Isabella Lövin (Greens/EFA, Swedish) stressed the critical state of stocks in the Baltic Sea and called for a review of the management plan in this region.
“I want to be honest with you. I would be happier if the 2 billion were a higher figure”, admitted Mr Kadis, unsettled by the avalanche of criticism.
He did, however, attempt to defend the proposal, which “fully recognises the need to continue implementing the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) while emphasising the new needs arising from the implementation of the European Ocean Pact”. In addition, compared to the current rules, it includes more flexibility for Member States in the use of funding. “We are moving from a model based on eligibility, which is very bureaucratic, to a model based on needs and performance”, he explained, adding that the Committee’s reactions would be passed on to the College of Commissioners.
Mr Kadis was also keen to point out that the funds “have not been reduced”, which led to rumblings within the European Parliament’s Committee. In his view, they are simply being allocated differently. The new proposal provides for a minimum reference amount of €2 billion specifically earmarked to support certain elements of the CFP. A further €453 billion is to be allocated to economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture, rural development, fisheries, maritime prosperity and security. “Member States will be able to spend additional amounts from this fund on fisheries and aquaculture, according to their priorities and needs”, concluded the Commissioner.
Mr Kadis’ speech: https://aeur.eu/f/ilz (Lionel Changeur)