What if the EPP blocks reform?
I have been looking at what would happen if the EPP manage to block reform.
2 Speed Fisheries
I would argue that we would see a 2-speed development of europe’s fisheries.
Fast Track
Full accountability is perfectly feasible within the present CFP, we already fish 30% of the North Sea Cod stock on CQM, and a discard ban could easily gain support if it was voluntary for MS and the undersized fish did not go to the market for humans.
In that case UK, Denmark, Sweden and Germany would go for that – as they already are doing with the Skagerrak agreement.
France might cautiously and gradually move along.
Most of the policy and market forces needed for this is already in place.
The worst situation is a compromise that reduce the opportunity for Member States interested in moving ahead from doing so.
Spain Decline?
Spain who has most to win out of a reform that brings a better use of scarce resource would loose out even more. With no national or EU funds, or TFCs, to assist transition, their industrial fleet would face closure as Spanish banks are forced to call in their debts.
Baltic Continue Upwards
The Baltic Member States would continue to progress – other slower than they would have done – to have a economically healthy fish stocks and a slimmer and economically viable industry.
The only real losers of limited reform or blocked reform are those are seeking to block it.