Decision No 1/2025 of the Partnership Council established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part of 18 June 2025 issuing an interpretation of Article 508(2)(d) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the other part [2025/1229]

## Policy Analysis Report: Decision No 1/2025 of the Partnership Council Regarding Fisheries **1. Executive Summary:** This report analyzes Decision No 1/2025 of the Partnership Council established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK. This decision interprets Article 508(2)(d) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, clarifying the scope of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries' authority. The interpretation allows the Committee to make decisions regarding multi-annual full access to fishing waters, which will then be considered the outcome of annual consultations, including when provisional Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are set. This is a significant amendment designed to provide certainty in fisheries access beyond the initial adjustment period. **2. Introduction:** The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive analysis of Decision No 1/2025 of the Partnership Council, based solely on the official text provided. This analysis aims to inform stakeholders in the fishing industry about the changes and their potential implications. **3. Policy Overview:** * **Amendment:** This document represents an interpretation, effectively an amendment, to the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom, specifically focusing on Article 508(2)(d). * **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, based on the text, is to clarify the authority of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries to provide for multi-annual full access to fishing waters after the initial adjustment period concludes on June 30, 2026. This promotes cooperation on sustainable fisheries management. **4. Background and Rationale:** * **Amendment Rationale:** The amendment appears to address the need for a longer-term framework for fisheries access beyond the initial adjustment period, which ends on June 30, 2026. Without this amendment, access arrangements would be subject to annual consultations. The amendment seeks to provide more stability and predictability through multi-annual access agreements, which otherwise would not be easily implemented. It clarifies that such multi-annual arrangements made by the Committee are to be treated as the outcome of annual consultations concerning access to waters. **5. Key Provisions / Changes:** * **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment focuses on interpreting Article 508(2)(d) of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. * **New Rule/Provision:** The interpretation states that "cooperation on sustainable fisheries management" in Article 508(2)(d) *includes* the authority of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries to adopt decisions on multi-annual full access to waters for fishing. This will be considered the outcome of annual consultations. * **Difference/Effect of Change:** Before this amendment, it was unclear if Article 508(2)(d) gave the Specialised Committee on Fisheries the authority to make decisions on multi-annual access arrangements, as opposed to simply focusing on guidelines. This amendment clarifies that it does. This provides the Committee with the legal basis to make such decisions, and these decisions will be treated as fulfilling the requirements for annual consultations under Articles 500(1) and 500(5). **6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:** The primary target audience is the fishing industry in both the EU and the UK. This includes vessel operators, fisheries organizations, and related businesses that rely on access to fishing waters governed by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Regulators responsible for fisheries management are also key stakeholders. **7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):** * **Responsible agency/bodies:** The Specialised Committee on Fisheries is the key body responsible for implementing this change through its decision-making on multi-annual access arrangements. The Partnership Council approved the decision. * **Timelines or procedures:** The amendment takes effect immediately (date of adoption: June 18, 2025). The key timeline affected is post-June 30, 2026, after the initial adjustment period ends. The procedure involves the Specialised Committee on Fisheries adopting decisions on multi-annual access. **8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:** The likely intended outcome is to provide greater stability and predictability for the fishing industry regarding access to waters after the initial adjustment period. By clarifying the Committee's authority to establish multi-annual access arrangements, the amendment aims to reduce uncertainty and facilitate longer-term planning for fishing operations. This amendment may lead to more sustainable fisheries management through longer-term planning horizons. **9. Conclusion:** Decision No 1/2025 of the Partnership Council is a significant interpretation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. It clarifies the authority of the Specialised Committee on Fisheries to make decisions on multi-annual access to waters, providing increased certainty and potentially promoting more sustainable fisheries management practices. This amendment is particularly important for the fishing industry in both the EU and the UK, as it impacts their ability to plan and operate beyond the initial adjustment period.

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