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Import of fishery products: EU Council adopts autonomous EU tariff quotas

The Council today unanimously adopted a regulation opening autonomous EU tariff quotas (ATQs) for certain fishery products for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026, and establishing rules for the management of these quotas. The newly adopted regulation aims to ensure that the EU’s fish processing industry can continue to source raw materials for further processing from non-EU countries at reduced rates of duty or duty-free.

28/11/2023

EU and neighbors enhance Med-Black Sea fisheries control

Among the main measures, the EU and neighbouring countries agreed within the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) to launch new tools to keep track of the activities of all fleets fishing in the Mediterranean and the Black Seas and sharing the various multiannual management plans (MAPs).

13/11/2023

EU Nature restoration law: MEPs and EU Council strike deal to restore 20% of EU’s land and sea

EU countries must restore at least 30% of habitat areas covered by the new law by 2030, 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. Targets to restore drained peatlands to reduce agricultural sector emissions and improve biodiversity. Emergency brake included whereby provisions for agricultural ecosystems can be temporarily suspended under exceptional circumstances

10/11/2023

EU Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2024 in the Atlantic, Kattegat and Skagerrak

Today, the Commission published its proposal to set catch limits, or total allowable catches (TACs), for 18 fish stocks in the EU waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Kattegat and Skagerrak for 2024. The proposal is based on scientific advice and covers fish stocks managed solely by the EU in those sea basins.

25/10/2023

EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council: Main results on 23 October 2023

The consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, adverse weather conditions in certain regions, high energy prices and a global decrease in purchasing power continue to represent challenges to agricultural markets. Ministers also noted that other factors, including the spread of animal diseases and food price inflation, continue to put pressure on this sector.

23/10/2023

EU Commission: October infringement package – key decisions

In its regular package of infringement decisions, the European Commission pursues legal action against Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses. The key decisions taken by the Commission are presented below and grouped by policy area. The Commission is also

18/10/2023

EU Commission amends rules on aid to fisheries

The European Commission has adopted today an amendment of the so-called ‘de minimis’ regulation for the fishery and aquaculture sector (‘Fishery de minimis Regulation’). The revised regulation, which exempts small aid amounts from State aid control since they are deemed to have no impact on competition and trade in the Single Market, will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal.

04/10/2023

UK unveils remote marine science base on Pitcairn Islands

The Governor to the Pitcairn Islands, Iona Thomas, has officially opened the new UK government-funded marine science base, providing a platform for scientists to visit the area and study its unique marine habitats. Scientists from around the globe will be able to explore some of the world’s most untouched marine habitats and potentially discover new life underwater thanks to the creation of a new marine science base on the remote

03/10/2023

Healthy seas: EU Commission leads common efforts to improve state of Baltic Sea

Today, Commissioner Sinkevičius is hosting the second edition of the ‘Our Baltic’ Conference to address pressing environmental challenges in the Baltic Sea. The high-level conference gathers ministers and high-level officials in charge of fisheries, agriculture, and environment from eight EU Baltic countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Sweden).

29/09/2023

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 27 September 2023

Towards faster regulatory action: ECHA’s approach to assessing chemicals in groups +++ The EU Commission appoints a new Director at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries +++ EU Commission appoints a new Director at the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety +++ Keynote Speech by Commissioner Kyriakides at the European Health Forum Gastein 2023+++ EP Research Service: World Maritime Day 2023

29/09/2023

EU Commission September infringement package: key decisions

28/09/2023

EU Commission’s Maritime Affairs DG appoints new Director

The European Commission has decided today to appoint Jürgen Müller as Director for ‘General Affairs and Resources’ at the Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE). This Commission department is responsible for ensuring that the ocean resources are used sustainably and that coastal communities and the fishing sector have a prosperous future, promoting maritime policies and stimulate a sustainable blue economy and ocean governance at international level. The date of

27/09/2023

Norwegian satellites to detect illegal fishing

The Norwegian Government is launching a global ocean surveillance programme against fisheries crime. More than a third of the world’s coastal states will be given access to Norwegian satellite data and expertise, which they can use to carry out surveillance in their own waters and detect fisheries crime.

22/09/2023

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 20 September 2023

UNGA78: Accelerating climate action and biodiversity protection +++ High-level panel at the Nordic launch event: Towards Ending Plastic Pollution by 2040 +++ Digital Labelling of Fertilising Products +++ Draft report on Urban Wastewater Treatment +++ EU sold production of chemicals hit a decade high in 2022 +++ ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee: banning secondary uses of creosote-treated wood necessary.

22/09/2023

Ocean protection: President von der Leyen signs High Seas Treaty on behalf of EU

This landmark treaty agreed in March this year is key to protect the ocean, tackle environmental degradation, fight climate change, and prevent biodiversity loss on the high seas.

21/09/2023

Sweden: Tobias Billström signs High Seas Treaty

Following more than 15 years of negotiations, in March 2023 the UN successfully adopted a new global treaty to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Sweden has now signed the treaty, which establishes rules to limit environmental impacts and create marine protected areas in the high seas, which make up approximately 95 per cent of the volume of the world’s oceans.

21/09/2023

Norway: Many climate solutions to be found in the oceans

According to an updated report from the High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, ocean-based climate solutions can provide 35 % of the cuts in emissions needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2050. The report was presented at the meeting of the Ocean Panel during the UN General Assembly High-level Week.

21/09/2023

Main results of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, 18 September 2023

FISHERIES: Ministers exchanged views on the management of shared fishing stocks with the United Kingdom for 2024, which are the subject to annual bilateral negotiations. AGRICULTURE: EU agriculture ministers publicly discussed the agricultural aspects of the proposed directive on soil monitoring and resilience, based on information provided by the Commission. During a public session, the Spanish presidency invited ministers to hold a debate on the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas. Ministers discussed the challenges

18/09/2023

Finland: Public consultation on marine environment protection

The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on the national adoption of convention amendments adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The amendments have been made to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) and the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments. The deadline for submitting comments is 3 October

18/09/2023

Reducing pollution in EU groundwater and surface waters

MEPs want the EU watch lists – which contain substances posing a significant risk to human health and the environment – to be updated regularly to keep pace with new scientific evidence and new chemicals. They also want a subset of specific PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals”) as well as the PFAS total (parameter which includes the totality of PFAS with a maximum concentration) to be added

12/09/2023

Insight EU Environment Monitoring 28 August 2023

EU Commission proposes fishing opportunities for 2024 in the Baltic Sea +++ EP Think Tank: Understanding the EU’s response to illicit drugs +++ Highlights of the agenda of the informal ministerial meeting on agriculture +++ Press remarks by President Charles Michel after visiting the area impacted by floods in Slovenia +++ EFSA Guidance document on the impact of water treatment processes on residues of active substances or their metabolites in

30/08/2023