This Week in Fisheries — Brussels (#20, 2026)
Commission clears €15m French aid for aquaculture; new feed additive authorisations; Brexit fund allocations revised; MEPs visit Azores for fisheries talks.
May 24, 2026 to May 30, 2026
Commission clears €15m French aid for aquaculture; new feed additive authorisations; Brexit fund allocations revised; MEPs visit Azores for fisheries talks.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission approves €15 million French aid scheme for aquaculture firms hit by fuel prices
On 27 May 2026, the European Commission approved a €15 million French State aid scheme for agricultural and aquaculture companies facing increased non-road diesel fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis. The measure, notified by France, will run until 31 December 2026 and offers direct grants based on actual fuel purchased in April 2026, covering up to 70% of additional costs. Aid is capped at €0.0386 per litre of fuel. The scheme was assessed under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF), adopted by the Commission on 29 April 2026. The Commission found the scheme necessary, appropriate and proportionate, granting approval under EU State aid rules. The decision is registered under case SA.123240.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission renews authorisation of inositol as feed additive for finfish and crustaceans
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1151 of 28 May 2026 renews the authorisation of inositol as a feed additive for food-producing finfish, ornamental finfish, food-producing crustaceans, and ornamental crustaceans. The regulation repeals Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1249/2014 and introduces transitional measures for labelling and stocks. The renewal follows a positive EFSA opinion (16 September 2025) confirming continued safety and no need for additional efficacy or post-market monitoring. The new regulation enters into force twenty days after publication in the Official Journal (OJ L 2026/1151).
Renewal of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone as feed additive for fish and other species
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1150 of 28 May 2026 renews authorisation for neohesperidine dihydrochalcone as a sensory additive for piglets, sheep, calves, dogs, and both food-producing and ornamental finfish. The regulation repeals Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/264 and provides transitional measures for labelling. EFSA opinions from March and September 2025 confirmed continued safety for target species, consumers, and the environment. The regulation applies from twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal (OJ L 2026/1150).
Brexit Adjustment Reserve: revision of allocations to Member States and coastal communities
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1162 of 21 May 2026 amends Decision (EU) 2021/1803, revising the provisional amounts allocated to Member States from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. The changes reflect transfers to the Recovery and Resilience Facility and reductions in the Reserve's overall resources, impacting support to local and regional coastal communities. The decision is published in OJ L 2026/1162.
Commission decision not to renew approval of cypermethrin for biocidal use in wood preservation
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1112 of 22 May 2026 declines to renew approval for cypermethrin in biocidal products of product-type 8 under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, due to withdrawal of the renewal application. Treated articles can be marketed for 180 days after entry into force, with a final market ban from 22 December 2026. The decision is published in OJ L 2026/1112.
Commission registers citizens’ initiative on European biodiversity corridors
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1142 of 19 May 2026 registers the European citizens’ initiative 'Reconnecting nature through the creation of European biodiversity corridors' under Regulation (EU) 2019/788. The initiative seeks a proposal for a directive to coordinate ecological connectivity between inland water and land ecosystems. Registration is addressed to contact persons Pier Giovanni Capellino and Claudine Ayala Cobo. The decision is in OJ L 2026/1142.
Commission registers citizens’ initiative on Rights for Nature
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1141 of 19 May 2026 registers the European citizens’ initiative 'Rights for Nature: Empower Citizens to Represent and Protect Ecosystems' under Regulation (EU) 2019/788. The initiative aims to recognise the rights of nature in EU law, conferring legal personality on ecosystems and granting standing to citizens and communities. The decision is in OJ L 2026/1141.
EP Committee Work
Fisheries Committee delegation visits Azores to discuss maritime policies
A European Parliament Committee on Fisheries (PECH) delegation conducted a fact-finding mission to the Azores, meeting regional authorities including the President of the Regional Assembly, Luís Garcia, and the President of the Regional Government, José Manuel Bolieiro. MEPs reviewed the first-sale system, traceability of catches, and control regulation implementation, and discussed maritime safety with Comodoro Luís Nicholson Lavrador. The visit included research centres such as the Okeanos Research Centre and the MARTEC Lab. The delegation was led by Committee Chair Carmen Crespo Díaz (EPP, ES), with members from EPP, S&D, and Greens/EFA groups.
Petitions Committee fact-finding visit to Guadeloupe and Saint Martin
A nine-member delegation from the Committee on Petitions (PETI), led by Chair Bogdan Rzońca (ECR, Poland), concluded a three-day visit in response to petitions on sargassum influx management and the 'octroi de mer' dock dues tax system. The delegation engaged with local authorities, businesses, and civil society, and assessed environmental and fiscal challenges in the French Caribbean islands. Findings will be compiled into a final report for the PETI Committee.
Draft opinion on EU budget 2027 published by Agriculture Committee
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) published a draft opinion on the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2027 on 27 May 2026. Rapporteur Wouter Beke authored the document, which addresses allocations across all sections with implications for rural, agricultural, and fisheries funding.
What We're Reading This Week
- EU ministers resist big Brexit rethink as UK speculation of ‘rejoining’ grows: EU leaders maintain current Brexit stance despite increasing UK public debate over potential steps toward rejoining the bloc.
