Europêche said it is demanding answers from the European Commission regarding recent revelations that it was funding multiple NGOs that engaged in lobbying for environmental laws the fishing trade body said would have had big implications for fishing.
Three letters obtained by Politico in November 2024 told environmental NGOs that any money received from the European Union’s green funds could no longer be used for advocacy or lobbying work. The letters revealed that funding was going toward environmental lobbying that in turn advocated for certain rule changes in the E.U. – a practice that was met by protests from the European People’s Party (EPP), Euronews reported.
Europêche said it “has expressed serious concerns” over the allegations the E.U. was funding NGOs that lobbied members of parliament (MEPs) and member states in favor of the “European Green Deal,” which it said raises questions about the transparency and accountability of the E.U. policymaking process.
“These allegations, if substantiated, would constitute a major breach of democratic principles and a betrayal of the trust placed in the European environmental policies adopted during the previous legislative term,” Europêche President Javier Garat said in a release. “Our fishers, who already face immense challenges adapting to Green Deal policies, deserve decision-making processes that are transparent, impartial and accountable.”
According to Europêche, policies directly tied to the green deal would have profound impacts on the bloc’s fishing industry and fishing communities. Parts of the policy would end up closing traditional fishing grounds, and increase the regulatory burden faced by the industry which it said is already facing pressures.
The trade body also said many NGO campaigns have directly advocated against fishing practices.
“Europêche points to the increasing number of NGO-led campaigns against bottom fishing, which is a legal, certified and well-regulated fishing method in Europe,” it said. “Many of these campaigns appear to advocate for an outright ban on the practice rather than pursuing opportunities for improvement or collaboration with the fishing sector. Furthermore, similar lobbying initiatives appear to have received financial support from the Commission, such as the NGO ‘Blue Manifesto 2024’ or campaigns criticizing quota systems of selected Member States.”
The initial NGO funding revelation in November 2024 has resulted in continued debate which is still ongoing in European parliament...
