Fishing: Italian navies mobilize against the EU plan

- Italian navies are mobilizing to reiterate their no to the EU Action Plan that imposes a series of disruptive measures for the structure of the sector.

The appointment is for the day of Friday 23 June with a series of initiatives promoted by the world of representation of cooperatives, companies and workers Agci Agrital. Confcooperative FedAgriPesca, Legacoop Agroalimentare, Coldiretti Impresapesca, Federpesca, Fai-Cisl, Flai-Cgil and Uila Pesca.

The Plan promoted by the Commissioner for Fisheries and Environment Virginijus Sinkevicius provides for a strong limitation of trawling throughout Europe by 2030 and proposes the creation of additional marine protected areas, without considering the social and economic impact on companies, workers, territories and based on outdated and accurate scientific data. A Plan that - denounce associations and trade unions in the sector - will lead us to total dependence on foreign countries for the supply of fish products.

The objective is to safeguard a sector that guarantees food safety and a fair, healthy and sustainable supply of fresh fish products with high quality standards, which comply with the rules of traceability and European certification. But the mobilization also aims to ensure a future for thousands of workers, cooperatives, businesses, families and territories.

"The dismantling of trawling would also cause - underline the various acronyms - an increase in imports from countries where fishing does not comply with our legislation on the environment, safety and work. In Italy, trawling represents 20% of the total fishing fleet" conclude Agci Agrital, Confcooperative FedAgriPesca, Legacoop Agroalimentare, Coldiretti Impresapesca, Federpesca, Fai-Cisl, Flai-Cgil and Uila Pesca - with 2088 units, about 7000 workers, 30% of landings and 50% of revenues.

A sector that in Europe represents 25% of total landings of fish products and 38% of revenues, with over 7,000 boats (ANSA).