Spain and Ireland strengthen collaboration ahead of the next EU Council of Ministers meeting on fisheries policy

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, with the Irish Minister of State for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, met today with the Irish Minister of State for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley, to strengthen bilateral cooperation on fisheries matters and move towards common positions ahead of the next Council of Ministers meeting of the European Union (EU) to be held next week in Brussels.

Planas highlighted the timeliness of the meeting at a key moment for European negotiations, particularly those concerning the Multiannual Financial Framework and the review of the Common Fisheries Policy. Planas shared with Dooley the "Report on Simplifying the Common Fisheries Policy" prepared by Spain, which has already received the support of Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

The two ministers shared their positions regarding the negotiations with coastal states. In this regard, they expressed their confidence that the European Commission will remain firm in preventing the establishment of unilateral quotas that would negatively impact the EU and the recovery of certain fish stocks, such as mackerel and blue whiting.

Planas thanked Ireland for its support of the appeal filed by Spain before the Court of Justice of the EU, as well as its commitment to ensuring that EU decisions on the fisheries sector take into account socio-economic impacts and the best available scientific research.

He underscored the need to make progress on fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean by 2026, taking into account environmental, social, and economic sustainability criteria, since "these aspects are essential to guaranteeing a balance between the conservation of marine resources and the viability of the sector."

Planas conveyed to the Irish government Spain's full support for its upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2026.

Non official translation