The Spanish government is denying claims by sources at the WTO negotiations on ending harmful fishing subsidies that Spain is pressuring the European Union to prolong its subsidies to its fleet.
Negotiations have been ongoing since 2001, but were scheduled to conclude by the end of 2019 to meet the United Nations’ 2020 Sustainable Development Goals. Discord amongst the world’s major fishing powers has now pushed any potential agreement until the end of 2020 at the earliest.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a delegate to the talks from a non-E.U. country told SeafoodSource Spain is not on board with ending all fisheries subsidies.
“It is very inaccurate to say or imply that Spain, as part of the E.U., is calling for the end to fisheries subsidies,” the source said. “Spain, from what we understand, is the problem child and the one likely behind the lobbying efforts to increase E.U. subsidies.”
A statement provided to SeafoodSource from Spanish Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries said Spain is maintaining “a common position with the rest of the E.U. member-states” represented by the E.U. Commission at the WTO talks.
“Fishing in the E.U. framework is regulated by the Common Fisheries Policy, whose norms of assistance are transparent and are fixed for all the members,” it said. “In the common market for some time, the Common Fisheries Policy has prohibited the construction of new vessels and Spain has not sought in any case to modify this position.”
However, the statement acknowledged Spain has sought funding at the E.U. level for renovation of fishing vessels to make them safer for workers, through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, an E.U. fund that finances fishery communities to transition to sustainable fishery management.
“Our position in relation to the future of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund [an EU fund that finances fishery communities to transition to sustainable fishery management] looks at improving the security and the living conditions of workers aboard fishing vessels, so that the conditions are compatible with international treaties of reference, such as Convention 188 of the International Labour Organisation, protecting life and encouraging new generations to dedicate themselves to this sector,” according to the Spanish statement. “For this, we have requested that related investments destined for the betterment of these conditions could prove eligible for inclusion in the future framework of assistance which is being discussed for the period 2021 to 2027, including those which suppose an increase in the power of the vessel, always and when it’s guaranteed that these modifications don’t increase the fishing capacity [of the overall fleet].”
This proposal, which was made in the framework of the negotiations on a new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, was supported by a majority of the member-states, the ministry noted “who observe with huge worry the conditions aboard vessels which are already built some time ago and which didn’t take into account the criteria of accommodation and security which are currently recommended by international organizations like the International Maritime Organisation and ILO.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated negotiations, but the Spanish delegation said in its statement it believes progress is being made on an agreement.
“Different member-countries of the WTO have recommended postponing the negotiations until the situation returns to normal,” the Spanish statement said. “However, proposals and document exchanges continue to be made with the aim of advancing in common positions among all members, to which the European Commission is contributing and in which Spain is participating.”
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