Joe Borg, EU Fisheries Commissioner, in an Edinburgh meeting said that the European Commission is now considering eliminate IUU fishing at the first place. He was speaking at the general assembly of AIPCE-CEP (EU Fish Processors Association – EU Federation of National Organisations of Importers and Exporters of Fish). Dr Borg said this is a “central plank” of the Commission’s new marine management measures.
According to him the international cooperation is the best means of ensuring sustainable management of marine resources, especially on the high seas, and as such calls for international regulation. He added that beside cooperation with international partners is vital local action at home is a must. He said that this requires the strengthening of existing means…and the closing of loopholes by introducing new measures.
As per the Commission opinion it wants to strengthen existing means on two fronts to help meet concerns outlined by processors in terms of predictability in pricing, in sourcing policy, and the development of products that meet European consumers’ demands. In the second place it concerns imports and this consists of a number of responsibilities and aims. One aim is to ensure that products entering the EU market are safe for consumption. Another relates to trade policy.
Dr Borg informed that it is now essential that further liberalisation of tariffs should primarily be linked to good fisheries governance. He continued that all have an opportunity to reshape our policy in trade in fish and fish products so that it better serves the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy and the Integrated Maritime Policy.
