Broad Support In EU To Reform Fishing Policy Immediatelyff
1 October 2008
European Union Source: European Commission At the initiative of the French Presidency, an informal Fisheries Council meeting has been held in Brussels to discuss the proposed Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) due for completion in 2012. European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Joe Borg received the broad support of the Member States to kick-start preparations immediately for this reform.
The main focus of the coming review will be on resource conservation and fleet policy. Commissioner Borg told the Council, “An economically, socially and environmentally healthy fishing industry depends on healthy fish stocks and on the fishing fleets being in balance with their fishing opportunities. Ecological sustainability is therefore fundamental.†The debate launched today will continue in 2009 not only with the Member States, but through a broad-based consultation with the fisheries sector, other stakeholders and the wider public.
The Commission intends to table a Green Paper in early 2009 which will provide the basis for a public debate. A summary of the consultation will be published in early 2010, and the Commission will aim to table reform proposals later in the same year, with a view to their coming into force in 2012. Later, Fisheries Ministers endorsed the Commission’s plan to proceed with the payment of the financial contribution to Mauritania under the EU/Mauritania Fisheries Partnership Agreement. An open discussion was also held on the proposed revision of the cod recovery plan, and the Commission will continue to work with Member States in the light of the opinions expressed with a view to having the plan adopted at the Council meeting in November.
