site.btaBulgaria Calls for Stronger, More Predictable EU Fisheries Policy

Bulgarian Agriculture and Food Minister Plamen Abrovski said at an EU Council in Luxembourg Monday that a strong and predictable policy is needed to guarantee sustainable and competitive fisheries. During discussions on the future development of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), Abrovski stressed the need to strike a balance between the policy's environmental, economic and social objectives. He noted that the management of fish resources should combine their sustainable exploitation with the safeguarding of competitiveness, predictability and equal conditions and requirements for fishermen across the European Union, the Bulgarian Agriculture and Food Ministry reported.

The minister acknowledged the European Commission's efforts to improve the sustainability of the fisheries sector. He pointed out that the sector continues to face a number of challenges related to climate change, marine pollution, shifts in the distribution of fish species and the need for a better scientific understanding of processes within marine ecosystems.

He highlighted the importance of high-quality scientific advice as the basis for effective resource management and stressed that reliable scientific information is essential for making informed decisions and determining appropriate measures for the sector's development.

The agriculture minister also underlined the importance of enhanced regional cooperation in the Black Sea region, as well as the need for all coastal states to apply management measures in the same way in order to ensure a level playing field for the sector.

Minister Abrovski emphasized the need for simpler and more practical rules for small-scale coastal fisheries, which play an important social and economic role in many coastal communities. According to him, administrative requirements should be aligned with the actual capacities of small fishing operators while maintaining the objectives of resource conservation.

During discussions on the regulation establishing the conditions for implementing Union support for the Common Fisheries Policy, the European Ocean Pact, maritime policy and the Union's aquaculture policy, Abrovski stressed that the modernization of the fishing fleet is a priority for Bulgaria.

He noted that the future legislative framework for supporting the sector should take into account the specific characteristics of the small-scale Black Sea fleet and the particular nature of fishing activities in this sea basin. The minister highlighted the need for flexible opportunities to modernize the fishing fleet, combined with adequate financial support for control measures and data collection.

During the meeting, Bulgaria supported maintaining multiannual fisheries management plans as an effective CFP instrument that provides greater predictability and stability for the sector's development.

On the sidelines of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, the minister also met representatives of Copa-Cogeca to discuss the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the challenges facing European farmers and the need to ensure fair conditions for competition.

Abrovski stressed that the CAP should retain its common character and continue supporting genuine producers - those who grow crops and raise livestock. Key topics discussed included high fertilizer prices and rising production costs, as well as the need for imports from third countries to meet the same standards observed by European farmers.

Participants agreed that competition should take place between the EU and third countries on equal terms, rather than among agricultural producers within the European Union itself.