The European Fisheries Alliance has passed an important milestone. A year ago, representatives of the European fishing sector from the nine nations most affected by Brexit came together in the European Parliament to work towards a mutually beneficial and long-term post-Brexit fisheries agreement for the EU and the UK.
During that year, coastal communities from across Europe sign the Santiago Declaration on Brexit, and EUFA chairman Gerard van Balsfoort said that they look to the future with confidence.
‘We realised the importance of speaking with one voice and to present a common message to our governments and the EU institutions. One year later, EUFA’s message remains unchanged,’ he said.
‘We are confident that a mutually beneficial post-Brexit fisheries framework can be achieved if the EU and the UK negotiate an agreement on the basis of current arrangements on access to waters and resource allocation, while taking into account the wider trade context. Only together can we ensure sustainable stocks and the long-term economic prosperity of our fleets in both the EU and the UK.’
‘We are grateful for the good cooperation with Michel Barnier and his team, our governments and Members of the European Parliament and for their support and understanding of our concerns,’ he added.
The European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee Chairman Alain Cadec commented that fisheries cannot be allowed to become a bargaining chip in the Brexit negotiations.
‘I am happy to see the European fishing sector speaking with one voice and adopt a constructive attitude. We have to work towards an agreement that preserves the interests of our fishermen: access to waters and respect for the principles of the CFP,’ Alain Cadec said.
