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THE European Union opens formal accession talks with Iceland tomorrow (tues) about full membership - but some formidable fish related issues stand in the way.
Any attempt by the Reykjavik government to surrender independence on fishing quotas or its territorial fishing grounds are certain to be met with fierce resistance by Iceland's trawling industry and by an increasingly sceptical public. A growing number of politicians are also expressing doubts about EU membership now that the Icelandic economy is starting to show signs of recovery.
But the EU's own negotiators, probably encouraged by countries like Spain and France, may ask for some fishing concessions in return for full membership. It remains to be seen yet whether they would want Iceland to join the Common Fisheries Policy, whether reformed or not.
But Iceland also faced some obstacles. There will be demands from some member states for the country to abandon its controversial whaling policy, which allows it to take 150 fin whales a year supposedly for scientific research.
An EU Commission spokeswoman said: "We are aware that this is a very sensitive topic," adding there may be a transition period or even derogation from some pieces of the (EU) legislation."
Then there is the unresolved issue of Iceland's self declared 130,000 ton mackerel quota which is upsetting the Irish in particular, but it is hoped that dispute will be resolved before any final decision is made. Both Britain and the Netherlands are also likely to want more progress on the Icesave compensation issue following the collapse of Iceland's banks two years ago.
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
