The European Commission has opened infringement procedures against both Italy and Portugal over the countries’ failures to comply with the bloc's Fishery Control Regulation.
On 7 July, the commission announced it had sent formal notices to both countries highlighting several fisheries data issues.
“Both cases concern the failure to comply with fisheries control obligations to remedy shortcomings identified in national fisheries control systems,” the commission said. “The prolonged failures by both Member States to comply with their fisheries control obligations undermine the level playing field in the E.U. The Commission has, therefore, decided to send a letter of formal notice to both Member States.”
According to the governing body, Italy has failed to enact several actions outlined in its 2019 Fisheries Control Action Plan, including “data validation, electronic reporting systems, engine power verification, and sales note monitoring.” The commission noted that this is the first time it has ever taken action against a member state for noncompliance with its control action plan.
The commission also dinged Italy for not providing “necessary information” to the commission.
Portugal was criticized for not implementing a system for automated cross-checking, analysis, and verification of fisheries data – something that has been required since December 2013. Portugal has repeatedly delayed development of that system, the commission claimed, which prevents them from being able to identify inconsistencies in the nation’s data.
The two nations have two months to respond to the commission or face the issuance of a “reasoned opinion” – the second formal step in infringement procedures. The next step after that would be bringing the issues before the bloc's Court of Justice.
