FRANCE: French government slams EU fishing policy reforms

The French agriculture ministry has criticised the new EU Commission proposals on fishing. The proposed policy will shrink Europe’s fishing industry by up to 60%. The French ministry acknowledged the EU proposals to implement tighter controls, greater efficiency and fish-stocks evaluation are well-intended, but it said the proposed policy “doesn’t sufficiently take into account the economic, social and territorial aspects of the fishing industry”.

May 30, 2002

The French agriculture ministry has criticised the new EU Commission proposals on fishing.

The proposed policy will shrink Europe’s fishing industry by up to 60%. The French ministry acknowledged the EU proposals to implement tighter controls, greater efficiency and fish-stocks evaluation are well-intended, but it said the proposed policy “doesn’t sufficiently take into account the economic, social and territorial aspects of the fishing industry”.

“The Commission’s plan shows a lack of ambition for the fishing industry,” the statement went on. “It does not give the French and European fishermen the status they are entitled to nor does it offer the profession any outlook.”