Augulis in Luxembourg calls for balanced EU fisheries policy and urgent support for farmers
Latvian Minister of Agriculture Uldis Augulis at the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Luxembourg emphasized science-based decisions in fisheries and called for EU emergency aid to farmers due to rising costs.
On June 22-23, Latvian Minister of Agriculture Uldis Augulis participated in the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Luxembourg, where he stressed the need for a balanced fisheries policy that combines sustainability with sector viability.
During discussions on sustainable fishing and fishing opportunities for 2027, Augulis stated that decisions must be based on scientific advice while fully assessing the socioeconomic impact on the fisheries sector. Latvia reiterated the complex state of the Baltic Sea ecosystem and additional risks posed by Russian fishing that does not follow scientific recommendations.
Regarding the review of the Common Fisheries Policy, the minister urged the development of a vision for EU fisheries and aquaculture up to 2040 as soon as possible, with sufficient funding, reduced administrative burden, and consideration of social and economic factors.
Augulis also raised the issue of the EU-Mauritania fisheries agreement, which is crucial for Latvia's distant-water fleet. He called on the European Commission to make every effort to conclude a new agreement that respects EU and Latvian interests.
On agriculture, Latvia highlighted rising production costs, especially for fertilizers, fuel, and electricity. Augulis cautioned against over-reliance on national budgets to avoid increasing inequality among member states and proposed EU emergency aid distributed based on fertilizer dependency rather than direct payments.
In debates on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2027, the minister emphasized that CAP must remain a strong common policy with common goals, stable funding, and a level playing field, while becoming simpler and more flexible for member states.
