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Reform of the EU Common Fisheries Policy

Neil Hornby, Head of Sea Fisheries, Defra

EU Common Fisheries PolicyEstablished 1983 with two broad aims:Protect Europes fish stocksSafeguard fishing business and coastal communities

But failed to do either. By 2009:88% of stocks overfished, 30% at risk of collapseSince introduction of CFP:40% fewer fishermen25% fewer boats45% reduction in catch

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Reform objectivesCoalition Government commitment to secure fundamental reform of the Common Fisheries PolicyUK objectives focussed on addressing 3 core failings:OverfishingDiscarding of perfectly edible fishOne-size-fits-all management, with decisions taken in Brussels3

Our approachDefine the policy what was our alternative offer? Deploy the evidence, build alliances and influence the key playersBuild political momentum for reform, domestically and across Europe

Open Policy Making was central to our success

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The policy

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Public campaigns6

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EU wide7

During negotiationsCapitalise on political momentumLeverage who has influenceReal-time open policy making during negotiationsRole of European Parliament

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Outcome

After 3 years of negotiations new CFP agreed in June 2013, including:A legal commitment to sustainable fishingA ban on discarding fishNew model of regional decision making

For years people said the Common Fisheries Policy was beyond reform. In Britain we have seen our fish stocks depleted and profits diminished, while our fishermen have been tied up in bureaucratic knots. Yet in June we led the way on a historic agreement that will transform fishing practices across Europe, and end micro-management from Brussels, massively benefiting our fishing industry and our marine environment too.(Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg speech on Britain in Europe 8 October 2013)

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Thank you