Earlier this week, 27 Members of the European Parliament from across the political spectrum sent a joint open letter to the European Commission urging it not to reopen or weaken the core provisions of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).
The signatories — all members of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) — stress that, at a time of growing water stress, declining water quality and increasing climate-related risks, Europe should focus on fully implementing and enforcing existing water legislation rather than revising it.
In their letter, the MEPs underline that
“regulatory stability is a prerequisite for enabling long-term investment and attracting capital” and warn that any modifications to the non-deterioration principle “would carry systemic consequences for the broader economy, particularly for sectors dependent on raw water in the delivery of products and services.”
MEPs remind that the Water Framework Directive has been evaluated by the EU Commission (in 2019) with a Fitness Check, which concluded the Directive “fit for purpose”, and call on the Commission to prioritise implementation, strengthen monitoring and enforcement, accelerate technical guidance and mobilise investment for water efficiency, pollution reduction and ecosystem resilience.
For Europe’s recreational fisheries sector, this political signal is particularly important.
Healthy freshwater ecosystems are essential for sustainable recreational angling, thriving fish populations and migration routes, biodiversity conservation, and the many rural and local economies that depend on healthy aquatic environments across Europe.
Beyond their environmental and economic value, healthy rivers, lakes and wetlands also provide significant benefits for citizens’ well-being and mental health. Recreational angling encourages people to spend time in high-quality blue and green spaces, promoting outdoor activity, connection with nature, social interaction and overall quality of life.
Protecting rivers, lakes and wetlands through a strong and effectively implemented Water Framework Directive is therefore fundamental to safeguarding fish stocks, aquatic habitats, public access to clean and resilient waters, and the long-term social and economic benefits linked to recreational fisheries.
The European Anglers Alliance (EAA) welcomes this strong cross-party support from Members of the European Parliament in favour of maintaining ambitious EU water protection rules and ensuring their effective implementation across Member States.
The full letter signed by the 27 MEPs is available here
Below the list of MEPs who have signed this open letter (grouped per political party).
- Socialists & Democrats (S&D)
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- Thomas Bajada (Malta)
- Sakis Arnaoutoglou (Greece)
- Mohammed Chahim (The Netherlands)
- Christophe Clergeau (France)
- André Franqueira Rodrigues (Portugal) – S&D Coordinator for the PECH Committee
- Javi Lopez (Spain)
- César Luena (Spain)
- Alessandra Moretti (Italy)
- Maria Noichl (Germany)
- Thomas Pellerin-Carlin (France)
- Bruno Tobback (Belgium)
- Tiemo Wölken (Germany) –S&D Coordinator for the ENVI Committee
- Renew Europe
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- Michal Wiezik (Slovakia)
- Grégory Allione (France)
- Stine Bosse (Denmark)
- Sigrid Friis (Denmark)
- Martin Hojsik (Slovakia)
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- The Greens/EFA
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- Jutta Paulus (Germany)
- Bas Eikchout (The Netherlands)
- Par Holmgren (Sweden)
- Sara Matthieu (Belgium) – Greens/EFA Coordinator for the ENVI Committee
- Rasmus Nordqvist (Denmark)
- Maria Ohisalo (Finland)
- Majdouline Sbai (France)
- Lena Schilling (Austria)
- Kai Tegethoff (Germany)
- Marie Toussaint (France)
