EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg is rebutting allegations that he is defending the bluefin tuna industry because of Malta's specific interests in the sector, saying the claims are "disappointing".
The Maltese commissioner is facing flak from pro-environment NGOs and lobby groups, including the European Parliament's Greens, for taking a different approach from Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas to Monaco's request to ban the international trading of bluefin tuna.
Dr Borg, who is opposed to a total ban preferring a less drastic approach, is accused of being influenced by his country's interests in the trade and by his personal bid to obtain a second mandate for another five-year term at the European Commission.
Though nominated by their respective member states, EU commissioners are not allowed to represent their country's interests and are expected to base their decisions on the EU's common interests and in respect to the Treaties. Malta is expected to nominate its next commissioner in the coming weeks.
The island is considered to be a heavyweight when it comes to the tuna industry as it is considered by NGOs to be the world's capital of tuna ranching, due to its facilities. The industry has been growing rapidly over the past years and is estimated to employ about 1,000 workers with the value of exports last year reaching €100 million.
"It is extremely disappointing to hear allegations by certain NGOs, echoed in some media, that the Commission's position whether or not to support the proposal to list bluefin tuna in Annex 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) is determined on the basis of national or personal interests," Dr Borg said yesterday.
"The Commission will determine its position on the basis of whether it is scientifically justified to do so."
The wrangling in the Commission revolves around the formulation of a common EU position to include bluefin tuna in the Cites annex. If this happens, all the international trade of bluefin tuna will stop, leading to a total collapse of the tuna industry in the EU and, of course, Malta.
The final decision will be taken in Doha, Qatar, next March during a meeting of the parties' members to the convention. At the conference, the EU votes as a bloc, representing all member states, so its position is pivotal.
Malta, together with Italy and Spain, is vehemently opposing the Monaco proposal, which would have devastating effects on their fisheries sector. However, other member states, including France, an important player in the industry, are supporting the initiative.
On its part, the Commission, responsible to propose a common EU position, remains divided.
The Environment Directorate General, headed by Mr Dimas, believes that, due to the pressure on bluefin tuna stocks andscientific evidence showing the fishery might collapse in a few years, the EU should support Monaco's call.
However, Dr Borg's directorate, DG Mare, disagrees, preferring a less drastic solution that includes the continuation of a four-year recovery plan introduced by Dr Borg himself two years ago.
Following a meeting last week between the two commissioners, Brussels sources said both sides had still not found a compromise. The issue will likely be taken to the College of Commissioners in the coming weeks and be decided by all the 27 commissioners.