EU Launches Consultation on Fisheries Tariff Regime Sustainability

Commission Seeks Feedback on Autonomous Tariff Quotas for Fish Imports

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on the sustainability of its tariff reduction regime for imported fisheries products. The move signals a possible shift in the EU’s autonomous tariff quota (ATQ) policy to address environmental, social, and economic concerns.

A public questionnaire, launched this week, invites stakeholders to provide views on whether sustainability criteria should be applied to non-EU fish imports that currently benefit from reduced or zero tariffs.

ATQs Currently Lack Sustainability Conditions

The ATQ regime is designed to ensure affordable access to raw materials for the EU’s seafood processing sector by reducing or suspending customs duties on a first-come, first-served basis. These quotas apply to specific volumes of unprocessed and semi-processed products that are either not available in sufficient quantity or not competitively priced within the EU.

However, the current rules do not require sustainability conditions, raising questions over potential harm to fish stocks in non-EU waters, as well as the implications for EU fishing sector competitiveness and environmental policy alignment.

Consultation Open to Public and Industry Stakeholders

The Commission is asking a wide range of respondents — including EU citizens, NGOs, trade unions, fisheries operators, researchers, and international organisations — to contribute feedback. The consultation will run for twelve weeks, closing on 3 July 2025.

According to the Commission, the responses will inform an evaluation of the current regime and an impact assessment of future policy options, conducted in parallel.

“This process ensures that citizens and stakeholders play an active role in evidence-based policymaking,” the Commission stated.

Sustainability Criteria May Be Introduced

Among the possible policy adjustments under review is the introduction of sustainability conditions as a prerequisite for tariff reductions. This would aim to prevent the EU market from supporting environmentally or socially damaging fishing practices in third countries.

Such changes could have significant implications for global supply chains and the EU’s processing sector, which relies on low-tariff imports to maintain price competitiveness and production continuity.

Regulation 2023/2720 Provides Current Legal Basis

The current legal framework is Council Regulation 2023/2720, which sets ATQs for the 2024–2026 period. It covers 31 specific quotas primarily aimed at securing supply for the EU’s fish processing industry. Most in-quota tariffs are set at zero.

The Commission’s consultation builds on a previous Call for Evidence held from 7 October to 4 November 2024. Any future legislative proposals will be based on the outcome of this full consultation process and accompanying assessments.