The EU Council officially adopted, on 12 March, the Union’s negotiating brief for the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (CITES). It provides that the EU will defend the listing of bluefin tuna in the Convention’s Annex I (total ban on trade and consequently on fishing). The position is challenged by fisheries professional organisations. Europêche, the fisheries section of Cogeca and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) have decided to join forces to express their concerns over a future ban on trade in bluefin tuna. They argue that a decision that will have a major socio-economic impact can only be taken on the basis of an irrefutable scientific analysis of the situation of resources. They ask to be consulted and urge the Commission to open up a dialogue without delay by organising a coordination meeting with all stakeholders, representing member states, the European Parliament, professional organisations and the social partners.