GEOPOLITICAL COST PRESSURE

Europe triggers Article 26.2 of the EMFAF to offset energy costs amid Middle East crisis

Brussels, 16 April 2026 | The measure will allow Member States to compensate additional costs and income losses in fisheries and aquaculture under rising energy volatily

Banderas UE en Comisión Europea

The European Commission will activate Article 26.2 of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) on 16 April (today), enabling Member Estates to grant extraordinary support to operators affected by the economy impact of the Middle East conflict.

The decision, pending formal approval by the College of Commissioners, is based on the recognition of a “serious disturbance of the market”, the legal condition required to trigger this crisis mechanism.

According to Dovilė Vaigauskaitė, Deputy Head of Unit at DG MARE, the measure will allow compensation for both income losses and additional operating costs, as well as storage aid for producer organisations.

In aquaculture, the impact is expected to be particularly significant in intensive systems such as Recirculating Aquaculture Systems, where energy – linked to pumping, aeration – represents a structural component of production costs.

This is further compounded by indirect pressures on logistics and input supply chains driven by ongoing geopolitical instability.

However, the effective rollout of these measures will depend on how each Member State implements the scheme, defines eligibility criteria and prioritises sectors, which may delay the actual disbursement of funds.

In parallel, the Commission has launched a public consultation to establish a temporary State aid framework targeting the most affected sectors, which approval expected before the end of April.