The Council of Ministers of the EU is expected to vote by qualified majority on Tuesday 25 April to adopt a general approach on the proposal for a regulation establishing a multi-annual plan for demersal stocks in the North Sea (see EUROPE 11667). This will allow the Council to begin negotiations on this issue with the European Parliament delegation.
Denmark will vote against the text, noting its concerns on a number of points (socio-economic consequences and call for greater flexibility in setting total allowable catches).
A final compromise text from the Maltese Presidency of the Council was discussed by EU experts on 16 March and received broad support. The compromise reflects the provisions of the multi-annual plan for cod stocks in the Baltic Sea. It aims to narrow the scope to a number of main targeted fisheries and to provide greater flexibility in the management of such by-catch stocks in the case of mixed fisheries. The text provides a legal basis to enable the adoption of discard plans by means of delegated acts for species in all sea basins. It also aims to significantly reduce the administrative burden that would stem from additional control provisions. Lastly, it addresses the concerns of some delegations with regard to consultations with third countries for jointly-managed stocks to ensure a level playing field for EU operators. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)