Spain & Ireland unite ahead of the AGRIFISH Council to reinforce fisheries policy, cooperating on the CFP, coastal quotas, and Mediterranean fishing
Spain and Ireland Strengthen Collaboration Ahead of Next EU Council of Ministers on Fisheries Policy
The Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, met yesterday with the Irish Minister of State for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley, to reinforce bilateral cooperation on fisheries issues and advance toward common positions ahead of the next European Union (EU) Council of Ministers, which will be held next week in Brussels.
Planas highlighted the timeliness of the meeting at a key moment for European negotiations, particularly those relating to the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). Planas shared Spain’s “CFP Simplification Report” with Dooley, which has already received support from Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
Both Ministers shared a common position regarding negotiations with coastal states. In this vein, they expressed confidence that the European Commission will remain firm in order to prevent the setting of unilateral quotas that affect the EU and the recovery of some fish stocks, such as mackerel and blue whiting.
Planas thanked Ireland for its support of the appeal presented by Spain before the Court of Justice of the EU, as well as its commitment to guaranteeing that Community decisions regarding the fisheries sector must take into account socio-economic impacts and studies based on the best available science.
He underscored the need to make progress on fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean for 2026, taking into account criteria of environmental, social, and economic sustainability, as “these aspects are essential to guarantee the balance between the conservation of marine resources and the viability of the sector.”
Planas conveyed Spain’s full support to the Irish government ahead of its upcoming Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2026.
