Brussels: Cyprus Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panayiotou, advocated for the reinforcement of small-scale fishing fleets to ensure fair quota allocation during her attendance at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AgriFish) held in Brussels.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Council's primary agenda focused on fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Atlantic, and North Sea, as well as proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027. A political agreement was reached concerning fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and Black Sea for 2026, and in the Atlantic and North Sea for 2026-2028. This agreement, finalized after extensive negotiations, established the catch limits, known as 'total allowable catches' (TACs), and fishing capacity limits for major commercial fish stocks.
Minister Panayiotou emphasized that quota allocations should be grounded in sustainable fisheries and equitable distribution, considering the unique conditions of each Member State. She highlighted that many vessels in Cyprus are inactive, the fleet is underutilized, and numerous fishers are leaving the profession. These challenges are exacerbated by Turkish activities, which contravene the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and undermine Cyprus's fishing opportunities. Panayiotou called for immediate corrective measures and support for small-scale and traditional fishing fleets to ensure fair quota distribution aligned with the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy.
The Council also engaged in a policy orientation debate on innovation and simplification proposals within the post-2027 CAP framework. Panayiotou underscored the necessity for European agriculture to adopt new technologies and innovative solutions to remain competitive. She noted that farmers are grappling with climate change impacts and market volatility, necessitating modern tools and targeted support. The new CAP, she argued, should simplify procedures and provide appropriate funding to support this transition, enhancing the sector's competitiveness and appeal to young people. Panayiotou affirmed that the Cypriot Presidency will contribute to developing solutions to bolster the resilience and sustainability of European agriculture in the upcoming programming period.
On the sidelines of the Council meeting, Panayiotou met with Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas Puchades, discussing priorities for the Cypriot Presidency of the EU Council. She also engaged with agricultural organizations COPA-COGECA, who shared their reasons for participating in a pan-European protest on 18 December and their opposition to the Commission's proposal. It was agreed to hold monthly meetings with these organizations to continue CAP discussions, focusing on ensuring sustainability, food security, and generational renewal within the agricultural sector.