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The Danish Fisheries Association has welcomed the European Commission’s compensation package
The European Commission has presented a new proposal for a pool to mitigate the consequences of Brexit.
Danish fisheries stand to receive DKK 1.1 billion (€148m) in compensation for the fishing quotas that are handed over to the UK as a result of the trade agreement between the EU and the UK, which landed on Christmas Eve.
The proposal arouses optimism in the Danish Fisheries Association, which is the fisheries’ main organisation.
“Brexit is a hard blow to fisheries, and to employment in the smaller port communities. I therefore believe that fisheries must be fully compensated for the losses we have suffered as a result of Brexit. In this way, we can ensure that fishing can continue to contribute to growth and employment in the small port communities and at the same time develop fishing in an even more sustainable direction,” says chairman Svend-Erik Andersen.
In the Danish Fisheries Association, however, they believe it is too early to cheer. First, the Danish politicians must have the agreement in place. Secondly, it is important to ensure that the aid is paid to the fishermen who pay the largest bill as a result of the trade agreement.
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“The bill for Brexit is uneven in Danish fisheries. For example, the fishermen who fish for edible fish such as cod pay a really high price, and it is important that this is reflected in the compensation. That is why we in the Danish Fisheries Association encourage the industry to be consulted when the support schemes are to be designed in Denmark,” says Svend-Erik Andersen.
The Danish Fisheries Association has estimated that Denmark will lose fishing quotas to a value of up to DKK 1.5 billion (€201.6m). Thus, the EU Commission’s proposal is not enough to cover the full loss. Therefore, the Danish Fisheries Association calls on the Minister of Fisheries and the Danish members of the European Parliament to do everything they can to ensure Danish fisheries as good conditions as possible.
“It is important to state that the losses the Danish fishermen will suffer are permanent. Therefore, there is a need for both compensation now and here as well as a discussion on how we can arrange the fisheries policy of the future in such a way that we can secure the future and develop Danish fisheries in an even more sustainable direction. Therefore, it is also crucial for the future of fisheries that the Danish politicians land as good an agreement as possible, concludes chairman of the Danish Fisheries Association,” Svend-Erik Andersen.
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