Spanish Minister Criticizes EU Fisheries Budget Cuts as 'Insólitas'

Luis Planas, Spain's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, has voiced strong condemnation of the European Commission's proposed budget for fisheries policy spanning 2028-2034, labeling it as "insólitas". The minister highlighted that the proposed budget is only 2 billion euros, representing a stark reduction from the current allocation of 6 billion euros. This sharp decline has raised significant concern about the future viability of the fishing sector in Spain, which relies heavily on such financial provisions.

Planas described the financial outlook as "decepcionantes", indicating that the proposed funding falls woefully short of the necessary support for Spain's fishermen and broader agricultural community. In addition to the cuts in fisheries funding, he noted potential 22% reductions in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget, underscoring the detrimental impact such cuts could have on rural areas that depend on these funds.

In response to these alarming projections, Planas has announced plans to engage stakeholders from both the agricultural and fishing sectors, as well as regional governments, initiating discussions in September. The aim of these conversations will be to forge a unified stance in preparation for upcoming negotiations with the European Commission, which are expected to extend over the next two years. He stressed that defending the CAP is critical, asserting it as a necessity rather than a luxury for rural economies.

As Spain prepares to navigate these challenges, the minister's proactive approach aims to rally support and push for a reconsideration of the proposed financial allocations, ensuring that the needs of Spain's affected communities are adequately addressed in the coming European policies.