Brussels, 25/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The EU institutions failed to reach agreement on Wednesday 24 June on the proposal for a multiannual management plan for fish species (cod, herring and sprat) in the Baltic Sea. For MEPs, the talks have been suspended until further notice.
Rapporteur Jaroslaw Walesa (EPP, Poland) told the press on Thursday 25 June that the Council had refused to honour the provisions of the new common fisheries policy (CFP). Parliament says that fishing activities must maintain fish stocks at levels above those that can produce the maximum sustainable yield (MSY).
Walesa argues that, to be able to make progress in negotiations, agreement has to be reached on a number of basic principles, one of which is the fishing mortality rate. During talks with the Council he asked whether the mortality rate is the limit or is it the objective. For Walesa, the fishing mortality rate must be the limit. “But the Latvian Presidency could not even answer that question.” The Council believes that mortality rate should be seen as the objective and that, as a consequence, flexibility exists.
The Latvian Presidency, it would seem, not having the mandate to negotiate on this point, it proved impossible to resolve this issue, so Walesa asked the Council negotiator to consult the member states. MEPs say they are ready to resume the talks if the Council changes its position on the mortality rate.
Ulrike Rodust (S&D, Germany) also felt that the Council does not appear willing to abide by the CFP basic regulation. “We cannot agree to that”, she said. The Council's position “is legally untenable”, she argued, pointing out that this plan could serve as the template for further future management plans.
“It's the Council that is holding things up”, said another MEP, adding: “We do not want the fishing mortality rate to be exceeded”.
On 20 April of this year, European fisheries ministers reached agreement by qualified majority on a general approach on the proposal for a management plan for cod, sprat and herring stocks in the Baltic Sea (see EUROPE 11298). The European Parliament decided on 28 April to delay its final vote on the proposal to allow the launch of talks with the Council of the EU on this matter (see EUROPE 11304). Parliament had adopted a number of amendments to the initial proposal. (Lionel Changeur)