Overview of ACP-EU relations: Economic Partnership Agreements and Fisheries Partnership Agreements – The Role of the Pri

1. Overview of ACP-EU relations: Economic Partnership Agreements and Fisheries Partnership Agreements – The Role of the Private Sector 22-24 January 2007 ACP House, Brussels Mark Pearson

2. ESA Configuration Rwanda Burundi SADC Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Sudan COMESA Uganda Kenya Tanzania EAC Mozambique Malawi Zambia Zimbabwe Angola IOC SACU (TDCA) Swaziland Mauritius Madagascar Comoros Seychelles Reunion Botswana Lesotho Namibia South Africa SADC EPA group Eastern & Southern Africa EPA group Egypt Libya D.R. Congo CEMAC Euro Med

3. The ESA EPA Negotiating Group wanted to negotiate a Regional FPA to:- • Address issues of sustainability – same VMS, policy on observers, etc in Indian Ocean • Develop the fishing industry in the interests of the countries having the EEZs – protective measures for small-scale fishing, investment incentives, improved market access, etc • Granting access to fish in EEZs remained the sovereign right of the country (UNCLOS) Introduction

4. Introduction and Basic Principles Fisheries Conservation and Management Issues – seasonal and gear restrictions, membership of IOTC, scientific limits, sustainable fishing, etc. Financial and Trade Measures – maintenance of existing preferences for 10 years and assistance for transition to develop local industry, removal of NTBs and TBTs, simplification of RoO, etc. Vessel Management and Post Harvest Arrangements – minimum conditions for MCS (VMS, observers, common reporting system etc) Development – Resources to combat IUU, investment, TA/CB, development fund, etc FPA Overview

5. Draft FFA presented to EC Oct 2004. Response (in form of non-paper) in early 2006. Sustantive comments from EC given at March 2006 RPTF. ESA FFA redrafted on basis of EC comments, which involved removal of issues covered in FPAs. Redrafted FFA to be a chapter in the EPA Agreement. Draft submitted to EC August 2006. EC agreed revised text a good basis for further discussions. Comments on text are mainly about development issues e.g.EPA not right place to identify specific development issues and EC not willing to make financial commitments. Progress so far

6. Although the EC has accepted the ESA proposed text on fisheries submitted in August 2006 as a basis for negotiations, it has not committed on the key issues of major importance to ESA. The ESA group has made all the concessions and reduced its level of ambition without any reciprocal response from the EC. The ESA position is that it insists on its position as of August 2006 (i.e. not lose further ground) and make provision for a long term perspective for cooperation in fisheries in EPA. Progress so far

7. Get involved in the negotiations. All RNF meetings make provision for the inclusion of the private sector (travel and accommodation). Involvement should be at the national and regional level. A regional position strongly supported by public and private sector is more easily defended. Research. As an industry analyse what the effects of a change in market access means to the sector in terms of sustainability of the fishing industry, the social costs and the economic costs. Lobby. Use connections to defend a position agreed at regional level and put pressure on EC. Role of the Private Sector