European industry body Europêche has made a formal request to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to address the imminent vacancy that will be left by the departure of Fisheries Commissioner Sinkevičius, and to ensure stability in fisheries governance during the ensuing transitional period.
In a letter addressed to President von der Leyen, Europêche underscored critical points for the Commission President’s immediate attention – outlining its appreciation of her pledge to appoint a dedicated Fisheries Commissioner for the upcoming term, emphasising the need for a true balance between biodiversity conservation, a competitive fishing fleet, and food security.
According to Europêche, this is an equilibrium that has clearly been lacking during the previous legislative term.
Europêche also wants to see an enhanced focus on primary food production and food sovereignty, advocating for these issues to be elevated to the Vice-Presidency level within the Commission’s agenda and structure.
‘During these interim times, it is crucial that decisions affecting our industry are made with institutional continuity and necessary democratic backing. We urge President von der Leyen to ensure that any interim arrangements prioritize stability over political interests,’ said President of Europêche Javier Garat, stressing the sensitivity of transitory political periods.
With Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius set to assume a parliamentary seat following the recent European elections, Europêche highlighted the impending political gap in the Commission’s structure.
There two possible scenarios for addressing this vacancy – either leaving the position open until the new college of Commissioners takes office or appointing an interim Commissioner. In either case, Europêche urges that any interim leadership refrain from exercising provisional political mandates.
In its letter to President von der Leyen, Europêche has voiced the fishing industry’s apprehension regarding some of the decisions and actions taken by the outgoing Commissioner that may have been influenced by his candidacy for Parliament, pointing out that in 2023, the Commissioner considered the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) fit for purpose.
However, only a year later, during the election campaign, he called for a full evaluation with a view to revising the CFP. To prevent a recurrence of such issues, Europêche’s position is that the EU should not grant political mandates during transitory regimes.
