The 2028-2034 budget does not include any provisions for the fishing sector.
In the European Union's new multiannual budget for 2028–2034, the Commission is proposing a radical and dangerous simplification: spending chapters will be reduced from seven to four. In this new architecture, cohesion funds, agriculture, and fisheries will be merged into a single, €865 billion mega-chapter. "But behind the apparent rationalization lies a concrete risk: the fishing sector will be effectively absorbed, losing its own independent funding line and strategic visibility," said Francesca Biondo, director of Federpesca.
This mega-chapter will also cover other EU priorities, such as migration (with an estimated €34 billion) and defense and security (including agencies like Frontex and Europol). It includes €218 billion for less developed European regions and €300 billion for direct payments to farmers, but no clear indication is given for the fishing sector, which risks being squeezed between much more structured and politically represented sectors.
"The European fishing industry, and the Italian one in particular, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, contributing responsibly to the European objectives of sustainability, reduction of fishing effort, and protection of biodiversity. This has resulted in fleet downsizing and job losses, despite a strong commitment to innovation and sustainable fishing practices. Cutting resources today would jeopardize these efforts and weaken a sector that is strategic for food security, production sovereignty, and territorial cohesion, especially in the most fragile coastal areas," Biondo stated.
For these reasons, Federpesca expresses strong concern about the potential consequences, including in terms of competitiveness with products from third countries, which often do not meet the same European standards.
"The hope is that the Italian government and the European Parliament, in its role as co-legislator, will be able to negotiate a more equitable and responsible relocation of resources over the next two years, recognizing the economic, environmental, and social value of a sector that contributes to the resilience of coastal economies and Europe's food identity," concluded Biondo.
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