Agriculture Food packaging Based on information from the presidency and the Commission, ministers exchanged views on the food safety and food waste aspects of the proposed regulation on packaging and packaging waste, which aims to reduce the amount of packaging waste generated in the EU while also maintaining a high level of food safety. With […]
Agreement on fisheries subsidies to boost environmental sustainability
On 25 May 2023, the Council adopted a decision approving, on behalf of the EU, the conclusion of a World Trade Organization (WTO) protocol establishing a fisheries subsidies agreement. The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies is the first WTO agreement that focuses on environmental sustainability, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14.6 (UN SDG). It […]
European Commission presents package of measures to improve sustainability and resilience of EU fisheries sector
The Commission is presenting a package of measures to improve the sustainability and resilience of the EU’s fisheries and aquaculture sector. It includes four elements: A Communication on the Energy Transition of the EU Fisheries and Aquaculture sector; an Action Plan to protect and restore marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries; a Communication on the common fisheries […]
1 million for the landmark WTO fisheries subsidies agreement
The EU has pledged €1 million for the Fisheries Funding Mechanism which forms part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies reached last year. Established in November 2022, this new Fisheries Funding Mechanism aims to support sustainability in fisheries and eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies. It will provide grants to developing and least […]
Fight against illegal fishing: Commission identifies Cameroon as a non-cooperating country
The Commission decided to identify Cameroon as a non-cooperating country in the fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, giving it a so-called ‘red card’. From now onwards EU Member States shall refuse the importation of fishery products from Cameroon even when accompanied by catch certificates validated by the national authorities. The decision is based on the EU’s […]
Spain will receive €1.12 billion from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027
Following the adoption of the Partnership Agreement 2021-2027 with Spain, the Commission has adopted the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programme for Spain, to implement the EU common fisheries policy (CFP) and EU policy priorities outlined in the European Green Deal. The total financial allocation for the Spanish programme 2021-2027 is €1.57 billion, of which the EU contribution accounts for […]
Spain’s action for annulment before the CJEU against the European fisheries regulation
The Spanish Government has today lodged an action before the Court of Justice of the European Union (EU) for the annulment of the European Commission’s Implementing Regulation 2022/1614, which prohibits fishing in 87 areas of the Atlantic shelf at depths of between 400 and 800 metres, considered vulnerable marine ecosystems. The lawsuit highlights substantive and […]
Fisheries: EU and neighbouring countries agree first-ever joint multiannual management plans in the Mediterranean
For the first time, the EU and neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean agreed on the establishment of five fully-fledged multiannual management plans (MAPs) based on the principles of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). It is a key step in improving the environmental and economic sustainability of fishing in the Mediterranean. It is the outcome of the 45th annual […]
Council and Parliament reach provisional political agreement on access to Union waters, extending the current rules for fishermen for another ten years
The Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached a provisional political agreement as regards the regime for access of fishing vessels to member states’ territorial waters. The provisional agreement extends the rules of the access to Union waters – which were about to expire at the end of […]