Brussels, 17/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 17 October in Luxembourg, the Fisheries Council adopted its position on two proposals for regulations on common fisheries policy (CFP) reform following a second reading agreement with the European Parliament.
These are the proposals for a regulation on the CFP (basic regulation) and for a regulation on the common organisation of the markets (CMO) in fishery and aquaculture products (see EUROPE 10869). The Parliament fisheries committee approved the political agreement on the two proposals on 18 June. The regulations will be applicable after the final reading in the plenary of the European Parliament once they have been published in the Official Journal.
The reform provides inter alia for: - fishing quotas to be fully in line with scientific opinion; - management of stocks at levels corresponding to the maximum sustainable yield (MSY); - the gradual ban of discarding fish at sea; - the strengthening of biologically sensitive areas with spawning grounds and high populations of juvenile fish; - compulsory labelling to provide consumer information (type of gear used, catch area, etc.)
The EU institutions still have to agree on aid to fishing and aquaculture for 2014-2020 in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Parliament will vote on this text on 23 October. (LC/transl.fl)