On Monday and Tuesday, June 23-24th, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ģirts Krūmiņš, will take part in the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Luxembourg. During the meeting, the European Commission (EC) will present its proposals for sustainable fishing in the EU, provide an update on the current situation in the fisheries sector and discuss fishing opportunities for 2026, as well as proposals to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
After analyzing the current situation in fisheries, the EC has concluded that the environmental condition of the Baltic Sea is alarming and threatens fish stocks. The EC also notes that EU environmental measures in the Baltic Sea are not being fully implemented.
Latvia agrees that fishing opportunities should be determined by balancing scientific advice and socio-economic impacts. At the same time, Latvia will remind the EC about Russia's ongoing targeted fishing in the Baltic Sea, which does not follow scientific recommendations and poses an additional threat to already endangered fish stocks. The EC should thoroughly assess all factors and avoid placing the blame for stock decline solely on EU fishermen. Latvia also supports efforts to help the fishing fleet switch from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources and to modernize the current fleet by offering additional financial support.
The ministers will also discuss the EC’s proposals for simplifying the CAP, including measures to reduce administrative burdens and make agricultural policy rules more flexible. The EC suggests easing several requirements related to good agricultural and environmental conditions, introducing simpler rules for young, small-scale, and organic farmers, and limiting the use of the agricultural reserve. At the same time, the EC proposes creating crisis payments for farmers affected by natural disasters, adverse weather, or catastrophic events. The EC has taken into account objections from member states, including Latvia, regarding the complex process of amending CAP strategic plans, and now proposes simpler amendment procedures.