A strong and predictable policy is essential to guarantee sustainable and competitive fisheries. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Plamen Abrovsky stated this during the meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council held in Luxembourg.
During the discussion on the future development of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), Minister Abrovsky emphasized the need for a balance between the environmental, economic, and social objectives of the policy. He noted that the management of fisheries resources must combine their sustainable exploitation with ensuring competitiveness, predictability, and a level playing field regarding the conditions and requirements for fishers across the European Union. The Minister acknowledged the European Commission's efforts to enhance the sustainability of fisheries. However, he pointed out that the sector continues to face numerous challenges linked to climate change, marine pollution, shifting distribution dynamics of fish species, and the need for a better scientific understanding of marine ecosystem processes. He highlighted the importance of high-quality scientific advice, as the foundation for effective resource management, stressing that reliable scientific data is crucial for making informed decisions and defining appropriate measures for the sector's development.
The Minister of Agriculture also underlined the significance of enhanced regional cooperation in the Black Sea area, as well as the necessity for the uniform application of management measures by all coastal states to ensure a level playing field for the sector.
Minister Abrovsky emphasized the need for simpler and more applicable rules for small-scale coastal fishing, which holds significant social and economic importance for many coastal communities. According to him, administrative requirements must be tailored to the actual capacities of small-scale fishing operators, while simultaneously upholding resource conservation goals.
During the discussion of the Regulation laying down the conditions for implementing Union support for the Common Fisheries Policy, the European Oceans Pact, the maritime policy, and the Union's aquaculture policy, Minister Abrovsky stressed that the modernization of the fishing fleet is a priority for Bulgaria. He pointed out that the future legislative framework supporting the sector must account for the specific characteristics of the small-scale fleet in the Black Sea and the unique features of fishing activities in this marine basin. The Minister highlighted the need for flexible options for fleet modernization, coupled with adequate financial support for control and data collection.
Within the framework of the meeting, Bulgaria supported maintaining multiannual fisheries management plans as an effective CFP tool that provides greater predictability and stability for the sector's development.
During his participation in the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, the Minister also held a meeting with representatives of Copa-Cogeca to discuss the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the challenges facing European farmers, and the need to ensure fair conditions for competition. Minister Abrovsky emphasized that the CAP must retain its common character and continue to support genuine producers—those who actively cultivate crops and rear animals. Key points of the conversation included the high prices of fertilizers and rising production costs, as well as the necessity for imports from third countries to meet the same standards adhered to by European farmers. The participants united around the understanding that competition should take place between the EU and third countries on a level playing field, rather than among agricultural producers within the European Union itself.