Starting on Monday, European Union (EU) Ministers of Fisheries and Agriculture will examine in Luxembourg the state of negotiations with the European Parliament to reform the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and start the implementation process from next year.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Magrama) of Spain, Miguel Arias Cañete, will take the opportunity to request the EU Commissioner for Fisheries Maria Damanaki to include the negotiations of the fisheries agreements with Morocco and Mauritania, fisheries posing great interest to the Spanish fleet, on the agenda.
Besides, the Spanish minister expects the commissioner explains the lack of contact with Rabat since February 2013, although at that time the deal seemed close.
European sources consulted by the agency Europa Press pointed out that progress has been “slow” and that the negotiations appear “stalled” due to the guarantees in Human Right respect required by the EU and because of the increased financial compensation claimed by the Moroccan Government.
With regard to the agreement between the EU and Mauritania — settled between the parties despite the criticism from the industry and the reserves of countries like Spain –Damanaki is expected to give information on the latest mixed and scientific committees.
Throughout the course of these committees the review of the technical conditions, such as the authorisation of a quota for catching octopus, was attempted.
During the meeting attended by ministers, positions will be tried to be agreed with the European Parliament (EP) and an approach that is “more pragmatic and flexible” than the one defended by the MEPs will be intended to be found, especially when implementing the discard ban, diplomatic sources told EFE agency.
The main objective of the reform of the CFP is to end overfishing and to transform fishing into a sustainable activity from the environmental, economic and social viewpoint, the European Commission stressed.
Therefore, the new CFP aims to:
Bring fish stocks to sustainable levels by setting catch limits that take into account scientific advice;
Provide European citizens a food source that is stable, secure and healthy in the long term;
Bring new prosperity to the fisheries sector, put an end to the dependence on fisheries subsidies and create new opportunities for growth and employment in coastal areas.
