The IFPO has welcomed a pledge by FG MEP Nina Carberry, to protect Ireland’s fishing industry during next year’s post-Brexit TCA review. The review of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is scheduled for next year.
In a statement issued to media, Ms Carberry acknowledged that the TCA “does not adequately protect Ireland’s fishing industry”. IFPO chief executive, Aodh O Donnell says Ms Carberry and other Irish MEPs must seek redress of key flaws in the current agreement.
“Our ask is simple and straightforward”, says O Donnell. “Ireland holds a 50% share of the western mackerel stock, and we lost 26 % of this pelagic quota in the TCA giveaway. We urgently need to secure rebalancing of this inequitable deal. A fundamental rebalancing by the EU is required, with the transfers reversed on an equitable basis. Full account must be taken of the socioeconomic impacts of our losses in line with the principles of the Common Fisheries Policy.”
O Donnell says Brexit also had a huge impact on the demersal sector, which led to the decommissioning of 39 vessels. “Ireland must press for a reinstatement of access to the disputed waters around Rockall. This was a long-established traditional fishery for our demersal fleet.”
O Donnell points to the damage caused by the current TCA. “Ireland was the main contributor in the EU transfer to quotas to the UK under the flawed Brexit fishing deal. We lost 40 % of the total value of European quota transferred to the UK under the TCA. This is a hammer blow estimated to cost us up to €200m by the end of next year. It is gravely impacting Irish Coastal communities with the loss of jobs and livelihoods.”
The IFPO met with Nina Carberry at the port of Killybegs during her election campaign. This visit was coordinated by her local party organisation to highlight the plight of Ireland ‘s premier fishing port. O Donnell says they are “heartened by the follow through and her clear pledge to seek to influence the trade review next year.”
“In the meantime, the sector urgently calls for the distribution of the remaining EU adjustment funds. If they are not drawn down by the Irish Government, they will be returned to the EU. We cannot contemplate having supports returned whilst our industry bears the major loss of catching opportunities.”
“An all of government approach is needed to address these issues. As part of our campaign for an equitable TCA review, we are scheduling to meet Ms Carberry and her team again shortly in Brussels.”