Brussels, 22/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Irish Presidency of the Council intends to work on the implementation of a modern and efficient fisheries sector, which is important for jobs and growth, said Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney in Brussels on 22 January. Coveney confirmed to the European Parliament's fisheries committee that his priority will be to lead the Council to a political agreement, by the end of June, on the reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP). The MEPs asked him in particular to find a solution to the blockage between the Council and the Parliament on the adoption of the long term management plans for several stocks.
“I'm sure we will reach an agreement on the CFP reform during the Irish Presidency”, Coveney said. In particular, trilogues (Commission, Council and Parliament) are planned in February on the common market organisation (CMO). On the basic regulation (including the maximum sustainable yield and the ban on discards), trilogues are due to begin in March (agreement at the end of June). With regard to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), the trilogues should begin in May with a view to an agreement at the end of June.
As far as the management plans are concerned, Coveney said that he has certainly understood the seriousness of this issue and that he does not have a ready-made solution that can be immediately accepted by the Parliament and Council. However, this issue must not derail the reform, he warned. The subject will be examined next week by the Fisheries Council. Other important files are the fisheries agreement with Morocco (negotiations are ongoing) and Mauritania. (LC/transl.fl)