Brussels, 17/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - The Council working group on fisheries affairs has recently examined the timetable for discussions under the Spanish Presidency on reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP).
Seminars. The European Commission is holding a series of seminars on the reform. In January, the first was on managing fishing rights. On 25 February, the second will deal with small-scale coastal fishing. In March, the seminar will be devoted to the first assessment studies of the impact of the planned reforms, then the one in April will discuss funding issues for the new CFP. The seminar in May will focus on the external dimension of the CFP, in particular, agreements with third countries. June's seminar will be given over to discussion of how to combat discards.
High level conference in May. A high level conference on the reform of the CFP will be held in Corunna on 2-3 May, ahead of the informal meeting of European fisheries ministers in Vigo on 4-5 May.
New regional committees? The Commission is to prepare contributions on three issues: access to fishery resources, governance, and differentiated management regimes for small-scale coastal fleets. The Commission is thought to be open to implementing a regional approach within the framework of the reform. It is said, too, to be willing to strengthen the role of the Regional Advisory Committees and to set up new “regional committees” which would be responsible for deciding management measures, in particular technical measures applicable to each fishery.
In the first quarter of 2011, the Commission is expected to adopt a number of legislative proposals reforming the CFP (basic regulations, common organisation of the fisheries products market, technical measures and the new European Fisheries Fund.)
The EU Council of Ministers will discuss the reform of the CFP in April and/or June. (L.C./transl.rt)