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With the impacts of COVID-19 already hitting the fisheries sector, particularly small scale and artisanal fisheries, GUE/NGL MEPs are demanding pressing action, beyond the insufficient proposal of the European Commission on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
Further urgent actions are needed to protect incomes and assure food security, to safeguard the sector, to defend small scale and artisanal fisheries and the sustainable use of oceans.
João Ferreira (PCP, Portugal), GUE/NGL coordinator in the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee said: “The response of the EU to the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak is far from what the situation demands. The fisheries sector, particularly small-scale fisheries, is being severely affected. The economic and social impacts are significant and urgent measures are needed!
“GUE/NGL is putting forward a set of proposals in order to mitigate these impacts, to assure the viability of small-scale and artisanal fisheries, to address food security concerns and protect fisherman and workers health, within the framework of the sustainability of the activity.”
Anja Hazekamp (Party for the Animals, Netherlands) said: “The current crisis should be a turning point. We need to redesign our economy, including our fishing activities, in a way that is sustainable for humans, animals and the environment. Any EU-support granted from the EMFF or from other sources should be aimed at realigning economic activities within the carrying capacity of our earth and our oceans.” Advertisement
The proposals of the GUE/NGL MEPs on the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries for changes to the EMFF can be found here. |