European Ministers on Fisheries held a debate on the main regulation proposals of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform “package”. In addition, they adopted conclusions with regard to the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy. Ministers agreed on the issue of a discard ban but the views differed concerning the modalities of the implementation of a discard ban.

The Council meeting on Agriculture and Fisheries issues, focused on the discussion of the main regulation proposals of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The Council held a public debate on the proposal for a regulation on the CFP replacing the basic provisions of the CFP; the proposal for a regulation on the common organisation (CMO) of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, focussing on market policy issues and the proposal for a regulation on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) replacing the existing European Fisheries Fund which was presented in December 2011. On the other hand, the Council adopted its conclusions on the external dimension of the CFP.

The conclusions on the external dimension of the CFP stresses the need to promote a more sustainable fisheries policy on its external like on its internal side. According to the conclusions, the fight against illegal fishing needs to be reinforced by building partnerships with other main fishing nations. Ministers also agreed on the need of more follow-up to the compliance with management measures at the level of regional fisheries management organisations.

On the debate regarding the CFP reform package, and specially to market measures, different views were expressed. Some Member States defended strongly intervention stocks as the best measure to apply in case of a crisis, but some other countries were against maintaining such measures. As regards the EMFF, many delegations mentioned aquaculture as a key EU priority to meet the objectives and obligations of the reformed CFP.