Policy Department for Regional Development, Agriculture and Fisheries study on EU fishing opportunities allocation presented to PECH; EU to aid member-state allocation

Monthly Highlights - September 2026

MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS Research digest for committees SEPTEMBER 2026 Dear Reader, One of the most far-reaching decisions in fisheries management is the allocation of fishing opportunities. This determines which fishers are allowed to fish and how much, deeply affecting the profitability and, ultimately, the viability of fishing activities. EU fishing opportunities are fixed by the Council, then shared among Member States, who are responsible for deciding how to distribute them among their vessels. Member States must act in line with Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, which requires them to use transparent and objective criteria of allocation, including environmental, social and economic criteria. After more than a decade of applying Article 17, a new Policy Department study, presented this month to the Committee on Fisheries (PECH), examines the allocation systems used across the EU and shows how the EU can support Member States to improve them.

Carmen CRESPO DÍAZ, Chair of the Committee on Fisheries Research digest for committees PE 789.226 - September 2026 EN Allocation of fishing opportunities in the EU

PECH Policy Department for Regional Development, Agriculture and Fisheries This study provides an overview of the allocation systems in all coastal Member States. The study analyses how Member States distribute fishing opportunities to their fishers and assesses to what extent they have adapted their national systems to respond to the requirements of Article 17. Read more © Adobe Stock

2 PE 789.226 Research digest for committees DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR COHESION, AGRICULTURE AND SOCIAL POLICIES (DG CASP) Housing speculation in the EU: Corporate landlords, real estate trusts, abusive speculative behaviour and impacts on prices and transactions HOUS Policy Department for Transport, Employment and Social Affairs This study examines housing speculation and focuses on the role of institutional investors and corporate landlords in EU rental housing markets. It analyses the European Affordable Housing Plan and provides further policy recommendations to support decent, sustainable and affordable housing. Read more © Adobe Stock UPCOMING Skilled labour mobility in the EU: pathways, challenges, and strategies for attraction and retention / October 2026 EMPL Policy Department for Transport, Employment and Social Affairs

Revitalising Inclusive Blue Economies - Strategies for Employment and Entrepreneurship in Disadvantaged Coastal and Outermost Regions / October 2026 REGI Policy Department for Regional Development, Agriculture and Fisheries DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR ECONOMY, TRANSFORMATION AND INDUSTRY (DG ECTI) InvestEU: EoV with Nathalie Berger, Director, DG GROW.D ECON Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit The InvestEU Programme is the EU’s flagship guarantee tool for investment. Ahead of the exchange of views with Nathalie Berger, Director for Competitiveness Coordination at the Commission on 2 September, this briefing recalls how the programme works, presents the latest performance data and identifies open scrutiny questions. Read more Economic Dialogue with the President of the ECOFIN - 15 July 2026 ECON Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit Simon Harris, Minister for Finance of Ireland, is participating in the ECON Committee in his capacity of President of the ECOFIN Council during the Irish Presidency. This briefing provides an overview of the Irish Presidency’s priorities in ECON-related matters. Read more

3 Cleantech Innovation, Industrial Decarbonisation and Global Competition – Where does the EU stand in the race towards net-zero compared to the US and China? ENVI Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health The EU, US and China dominate global clean-technology investment, manufacturing and policy ambition. This study assesses the EU’s competitive position across innovation, manufacturing and industrial deployment, and compares policy frameworks in the three jurisdictions. Read more

Policy analysis of potential modernised rights for patients in cross-border healthcare SANT Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health This paper presents the current challenges and possible options for improving EU cross-border healthcare. It discusses the need for enhanced clarity in EU cross-border healthcare law as well as the importance of providing cross- border patients with full and easily accessible information about both public and private healthcare providers. Read more

© Adobe Stock Online fraud and fake web shops IMCO Policy Department for Economy and Growth The study maps the fraudulent practices used by fake web shops across their full operational lifecycle, assesses the current EU legal and enforcement framework against each stage, and identifies structural gaps and provides recommendations for legislative and operational action. Read more

US critical minerals policy and its implications for the EU’s strategic autonomy

IMCO ITRE Policy Department for Economy and Growth and Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health This study analyses the United States’ critical minerals strategy, mapping its institutional framework, policy instruments and value-chain priorities, such as tax incentives, funding mechanisms, strategic stockpiling and demand-anchoring mechanisms. Read more

UPCOMING The July 2026 Commission communication on banking competitiveness / 7 September 2026

ECON Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit

Implementation of the FASTER Directive: Interoperability and Governance Challenges / October 2026

Policy Department for Economy and Growth

Developing lead markets through “Made in Europe” and resilience and clean production / September 2026

Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health PE 789.226 Research digest for committees

4 PE 789.226 Research digest for committees Workshop: Integrated European climate resilience and risk management framework ENVI Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health Date: 1 October 2026 Room: ANTALL 4Q2 Study presentation: Online fraud and fake web shops IMCO Policy Department for Economy and Growth Date: 10 September 2026 Time: 11:30-12:00 Room: SPAAK 1A2 DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR CITIZENS’ RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND INSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS (DG IUST) Assessing the third Gender Action Plan (GAP III) as a Foundation for Designing GAP IV: Lessons learned for the Post-2027 Framework FEMM Policy Department for Citizens, Equality and Culture GAP III strengthened EU gender mainstreaming but links to financing, responsibilities, results and accountability stay uneven. GAP IV could preserve this while making gender equality more politically resilient, financially traceable, management-owned and demonstrably transformative. Read more

Workshop “Combating Misleading Labelling Practices in the EU” PETI Policy Department for Citizens, Equality and Culture Experts Prof. Kelly Geyskens, Prof. Niels Holtrop and Prof. Kai Purnhagen, as well as the representatives from DG GROW and DG JUST from the European Commission discussed consumer perceptions, legal challenges and economic implications of unclear origin claims. Watch recording © Adobe Stock UPCOMING Implementation of the European Media Freedom Act / September 2026

CULT Policy Department for Citizens, Equality and Culture

The economic impact of internal border controls / October 2026

LIBE Policy Department for Justice, Civil Liberties and Institutional Affairs

5 DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR BUDGETARY AFFAIRS (DG BUDG) Investment needs identified in the Draghi and Letta reports and their implications for the EU budget BUDG Budgetary Support Unit This study examines the investment needs identified in the Draghi and Letta reports and their implications for the EU budget. It analyses how these priorities and investment gaps are reflected in the Commission’s 2028–2034 MFF proposals and evaluates the EU budget’s role in strengthening competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy. Read more

Efficiency and effectiveness of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa CONT Budgetary Support Unit This briefing assesses the efficiency and effectiveness of the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and the Border Management and Visa Instrument under the 2014-2020 and 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Frameworks. Both instruments are broadly on track to achieve their objectives. However, persistent challenges make it difficult to fully assess performance across Member States. Read more © European Parliament UPCOMING Mapping defence spending in the multiannual financial framework / October 2026

Budgetary Support Unit PE 789.226 Research digest for committees DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL POLICIES OF THE UNION (DG EXPO) Tied aid and strategic procurement DEVE External Policies Analysis and Support Unit The proposal for the Global Europe Instrument foresees possibilities to restrict access to procurement and to provide direct support to European private companies and Export Credit Agencies. Analysing these provisions, the publication outlines opportunities and challenges for EU development policy. Read more © Adobe Stock

6 PE 789.226 Research digest for committees Role and impact of EU mini trade deals, such as CTIPs INTA External Policies Analysis and Support Unit This paper examines the EU’s latest ‘mini trade deals’ (CTIPs, SIFAs and CRM MoUs), assessing their legal status, governance and implementation. While these instruments offer speed and flexibility, their use raises questions about transparency, accountability and institutional oversight. Read more

External Policies Analysis and Support Unit Workshop: Misuse of counter-terrorism laws and their implications on human rights across the world

External Policies Analysis and Support Unit Date: November 2026

7 SUPPORTING ANALYSES Supporting Analyses are the research papers from policy departments and support units that provide high-level independent expertise, analysis and policy advice in all areas of activity of the European Parliament.

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