This Week in Fisheries — Brussels (#30, 2026)
Council approves Cook Islands fisheries protocol; Commission crisis support for German wine sector; new delegated rules on animal disease status and wine advances.
August 02, 2026 to August 08, 2026
Council approves Cook Islands fisheries protocol; Commission crisis support for German wine sector; new delegated rules on animal disease status and wine advances.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision approving EU-Cook Islands Sustainable Fisheries Protocol (2025–2032)
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1544 of 17 November 2025, published on 5 August 2026, confirms the Union's conclusion of the Protocol implementing the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Cook Islands for the period 2025–2032. The Protocol allows EU vessels to fish in Cook Islands waters and establishes provisions for collaboration on sustainable fisheries management in the Western and Central Pacific. It outlines the procedure for Union approval of amendments, including via a Joint Committee, and clarifies budgetary arrangements for the Protocol's multi-year scope. The Decision enters into force on the date of adoption, with President A. Vafeades signing on behalf of the Council.
Temporary exceptional crisis distillation for German wine sector
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1913 of 31 July 2026 establishes a crisis distillation measure for Germany's wine sector, targeting protected designation of origin (PDO) red and rosé wines from Württemberg and Rheinhessen in the 2026/2027 marketing year. Up to EUR 14.16 million in Union support will be made available for the removal of surplus wine volume, with distillation outputs restricted to industrial, pharmaceutical, or energy uses. Compensation is capped at EUR 59 per hectolitre, with national eligibility rules to prevent abuse. The measure aims to address stock imbalances and applies immediately upon publication.
Amended rules for Union advances in wine sector interventions
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1160 of 28 May 2026 modifies Article 15a of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/127, increasing the advance payment rate for interventions under Article 58 of Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 from 80 % to 90 %. The change aims to improve cash flow for beneficiaries undertaking new sectoral wine interventions within Member State CAP Strategic Plans.
Changes to disease-free status provisions for bluetongue virus
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/797 of 27 March 2026 amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 following the re-categorisation of infection with bluetongue virus as a D+E listed disease under Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1882. The amendments delete eradication programme and disease-free status rules previously applicable to category C diseases, aligning the regulatory framework with changes effective from 1 November 2026.
Restrictive measures update: Libya-related vessel list
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1941 of 7 August 2026 amends Annex V to Council Regulation (EU) 2016/44 by adding a vessel to the list of those subject to United Nations Security Council sanctions concerning the situation in Libya. The updated list follows the UNSC Committee's decision of 22 July 2026 and takes immediate effect.
Commission decision on registration of European citizens’ initiative on Digital ID and Age Verification
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1921 of 22 July 2026 approves the registration of the European citizens’ initiative "Stop Killing The Internet: No Digital ID & No Age Verification" under Regulation (EU) 2019/788. The initiative seeks privacy-preserving, voluntary digital identity and age assurance systems within the Union.
Decision on Poland’s measures for event broadcasting under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/1924 of 27 July 2026 finds that Poland’s updated list of events deemed of major importance for society under Article 14(1) of Directive 2010/13/EU is compatible with Union law. The measures cover a range of televised sports events and seek to ensure broad public access on free-to-air television.
