The aim of this InBrief series is to provide a synthesis of various chapters of the ten free trade agreements (FTAs) recently concluded by the European Union with developing countries, as well as other relevant trade agreements when appropriate. Each InBrief offers a detailed and schematic overview of a specific set of trade and trade-related provisions in these agreements.
This InBrief sets out to compare the European Union (EU) approaches to fisheries in the different Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) concluded over the last decade and the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement. It first provides an overview of the international trade in fish and fishery products. This includes a review of international trade agreements and arrangements as undertaken through multilateral negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) organisations and the World Trade Organization (WTO). A brief background is also provided on the EU's fisheries policies for fleet access to distant water fishing grounds and for supplying its market with fish.
The InBrief then outlines the main features and common aspects of the fisheries provisions in the various FTAs concluded by the EU. The fisheries components of the particular FTAs with the MED countries, South Africa, Mexico, and Chile are highlighted and discussed. Finally it sets out to establish some common themes and trends in EU FTAs.
