Spain and Ireland Strengthen Cooperation Ahead of Key EU Fisheries Policy Talks
Spain and Ireland deepen their alliance on EU fisheries policy ahead of critical Council negotiations, emphasizing sustainable practices and opposition to unilateral quotas.
- • Luis Planas and Timmy Dooley met to coordinate positions for the EU Council on fisheries.
- • Spain’s 'Report on the Simplification of the CFP' has broad EU support.
- • Both nations oppose unilateral quota decisions harming fish stock recovery.
- • Focus on sustainable Mediterranean fishing opportunities by 2026.
- • Spain supports Ireland’s upcoming EU Council presidency in late 2026.
Key details
Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Luis Planas met with Irish Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley to reinforce bilateral cooperation prior to the upcoming European Union (EU) Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels. The talks focused on a unified stance for negotiations on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and related issues. Planas presented Spain's "Report on the Simplification of the CFP," which has garnered support from Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal. Both ministers emphasized the importance of firm EU resistance to unilateral quota decisions by coastal states, which risk undermining fish stock recovery, particularly for species like mackerel and whiting.
Planas highlighted the critical timing of these negotiations during discussions over the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and reinforced the need for fishing policies to incorporate socio-economic impacts alongside scientific data. He also underscored the urgency of advancing sustainable fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean by 2026, balancing environmental conservation with economic viability.
Spain expressed full support for Ireland’s upcoming EU Council presidency in the second half of 2026, acknowledging Ireland's backing of Spain’s legal efforts before the EU Court of Justice. This strengthened Spain-Ireland alliance aims at shaping decisions that equally prioritize marine resource sustainability and the fishing sector’s resilience within the EU policy framework.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
