Hearing of the German Minister for Food and Agriculture at the Fisheries Commission

Brussels, 3 September 2020 - During today's hearing at the Committee on Fisheries, MEP Francisco Guerreiro (Greens/EFA) questioned Minister Julia Klöckner regarding the priorities of the German presidency of the Council of the European Union over the next six months for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).

As shadow rapporteur for the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) for the EMFF, Francisco Guerreiro asked the Minister for Food and Agriculture whether she can guarantee that Germany will not allocate any harmful subsidies to the oceans in the new EMFF.

Francisco Guerreiro is opposed, in particular, to public support for non-artisanal vessels, that is, those above 12 meters, taking into account that about 90% of the Portuguese fleet is made up of small vessels with less than 12 meters.

"We must help artisanal and small-scale fishing (with vessels up to 12 meters), which is the one that needs support and that provides income to coastal communities.  Furthermore, this aid cannot be provided at the expense of the health of our oceans," said the MEP to the Minister.

Watch the video of the intervention here.

Know more about it here.

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