Russian fisheries embargo: Agreement to help Europe’s fishermen with quota flexibility
In the light of the consequences of the Russian ban for EU fisheries products, EU ministers this week agreed unanimously to support Europe’s fishermen with flexibility in the use of their quotas. It was at Commissioner Damanaki’s initiative that this topic has been discussed with EU governments at this occasion in order to take action in these exceptional circumstances for Europe’s fishermen.
In order to allow more time to use up their fishing quotas, ministers decided to make it possible to bank more than the regular 10% of this year’s fishing quota for next year. For sprat and herring in the Baltic Sea, as well as mackerel and herring in the North Sea and North Atlantic, up to 25% of this year’s fishing quota will be able to be transferred to 2015. Scientists confirmed that quota banking would on the whole have a slightly positive effect for the sustainability of the stocks. Further scientific advice will now be sought to determine if similar quota flexibility can be granted for horse mackerel and Celtic sea herring.
Commissioner Damanaki stated in a press conference following the discussions: “One thing is clear: our fishermen are not responsible for the conflict with Russia; I understand them when they say that they should not pay the price and they are right. The ban has been a political decision, so we respond with a political decision. I am satisfied that the ministers followed my proposal to allow quota flexibility for certain pelagic stocks.”
Commissioner Damanaki also discussed further measures to help Europe’s fishermen in these exceptional circumstances, such as the use of storage aid, aid to temporary cessation, state aids and help to find new markets. In 2013, the total export value of the banned EU fisheries products was close to EUR 144 million, which represents 2% of total value of the EU's fish and aquaculture annual product. Russia is the EU's 6th export market for fisheries products.
For further information, read the results of the AGRIFISH Council of Ministers, 13 October 2014 here.
