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Parliamentary question - E-004046/2017Parliamentary question
E-004046/2017

Negotiations with the UK on fisheries policy

Question for written answer E-004046-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Jens Rohde (ALDE)

According to the Commission, the EU’s fishing industry is the third largest in the world. Total catch and production stands at around 6.9 million tonnes per year. Around 400 000 people are employed in the fishing and fish processing industry in Europe. The Commission also maintains that the basis of the fisheries policy is free and equal access to fisheries in EU waters, and in the waters of third countries with which the EU has concluded agreements.

The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU will have a major impact on fisheries in a number of Member States, so concluding a fisheries policy agreement should therefore be given top priority. The Member States currently have access to fisheries in UK waters under the common quota system that has been in place since the 1980s. Some countries’ fleets catch over 50% of their fish in UK waters. This will change with Brexit: it will have an economic impact on many fishermen in the EU, as well as long-term consequences on EU and UK fish imports and exports.

Is concluding an agreement with the UK on fishing in its waters a priority for the Commission? If so, how does the Commission intend to ensure that EU countries continue to have access to UK waters?