Spain Leads Push for Reform and Simplification of EU Common Fisheries Policy

Spain, alongside Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal, has urged the European Commission to review and simplify the Common Fisheries Policy (PPC), marking the policy's first update in over 12 years. Agriculture, Fishing, and Food Minister Luis Planas emphasized the necessity of adapting regulations to address contemporary challenges including food security and climate change, advocating for a sustainable and economically viable fishing sector that supports coastal communities.

A recent report outlining ten key regulatory modifications was delivered to Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis, highlighting the need for reforms aligned with current sector realities. During the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, Planas noted encouraging scientific findings regarding fish populations in the Mediterranean—specifically hake, red mullet, and red shrimp—that justify a proposal to increase fishing days next year. The Spanish fleet's efforts to improve selectivity and reduce environmental impact through measures such as net modifications and temporary fishing closures were also acknowledged.

Looking ahead, Planas expressed hope that these scientific insights will influence the Commission's decisions on sustainable catch limits and quotas for 2026. Furthermore, discussions on the future of agricultural aid within the Common Agricultural Policy (PAC) underscored the need for a fairer, more flexible framework that accommodates diverse national agricultural conditions. Planas cautioned against potential market distortions stemming from national co-financing of PAC aids and stressed the strategic importance of the agro-food sector in EU policies to ensure food security and effective crisis management.