Will the European Commission's proposals on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy be as radical as expected, asks Baroness Parminter – on the day the European Commission is expected to adopt ambitious plans for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)
Today the European Commission is expected to adopt ambitious plans for CFP reform. It will fire the starting pistol on 18 months of political wrangling amongst member states over reform of the CFP.
The CFP has one of the most dismal reputations of any European Union policy, but reforming it won't be easy. However, reform is hugely important and desperately needed. Europe has to sort out its ruinous policies that have devastated fish stocks. Recent studies suggest that European fish stocks have been reduced to less than 10 per cent of their post-war levels. And 88 per cent of fish stocks in community waters are over-fished, compared to a global average of 25 per cent.
It won't be easy though, given overcapacity in many parts of the industry has to be reduced if fish stocks are to recover and the fishing industry is to be profitable. But without change to protect fish stocks, the loss of jobs would be even greater in the long term.
The UK is the leading member state supporting the Commission's bid to introduce sustainable policies, and due credit must go to Richard Benyon for the role he has played to date.
What we need is fisheries reform which delivers:
- A commitment to end discards and limit catches to sustainable levels within an agreed timeframe;
- Decision-making devolved to regional fisheries bodies and involving all stakeholders in deciding how to meet agreed conservation objectives; and
- Reducing overcapacity by ending subsidies for new fishing vessels.
Today we'll see if the Commission proposals are as radical as expected. If so they deserve nothing less than the full support of the UK government. Sorting out the CFP and securing fish for the future and jobs for fishermen would be one of the great achievements of this coalition government.
Kate Parminter is a Liberal Democrat peer and a member of the EU sub-committee on agriculture, fisheries and the environment in the House of Lords.
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