Hervé Berville, the French Secretary of State for the Sea, said on Monday 21 November in Brussels that discussions were continuing with the European Commission on the “dispute” over the control of tuna vessels’ fishing activities.
The European Commission has launched an infringement procedure against France with a view to obtaining a strengthening of national controls on the activities of tuna vessels. When questioned by EUROPE, Mr Berville stated that “on the dispute, the efforts and commitments of France and the tuna vessels” had been made known to the Commission (see EUROPE 13064/14).
“The discussion continues. We would like to see common sense applied to all decisions taken, which is why we must take into account the reality of the activity of these tuna vessels and we must take what the Commission tells us very seriously and rectify and adjust it in such a way as to do so pragmatically and with common sense. We need to ensure our country’s food security sovereignty”, the Secretary of State replied.
On 22 September, the Commission sent a reasoned opinion to France on the grounds that the French system for collecting, validating and compiling catch data had serious shortcomings, particularly on the issue of the 10% margin of tolerance per fish species. France was given two months from the date of the notice to take the necessary measures to remedy the shortcomings identified. Failing to do so, the Commission may decide to refer the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)