Brussels, 27/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Fisheries Council, which met in Brussels on Tuesday under the presidency of Belgian Minister Annemie Neyts, reached an unanimous agreement on the proposal by the European Commission aimed at setting up a programme for the conversion of the Spanish and Portuguese fleets because of non-renewal of the agreement with Morocco. The Fifteen also approved implementation of the new fisheries protocol concluded between the EU and Mauritania, but were unable to overcome their differences of opinion with regard to extending the programme for reduction of fishing activities.
The European ministers responsible for fisheries policy gave their approval to the aid programme in favour of the Spanish and Portuguese fleets. They agreed to two additional requests made by these delegations (20% increase in the amount of the premium in favour of fishermen and making the eligibility criteria for aid more flexible concerning the period of inactivity fixed at 6 months instead of 9) (see EUROPE of 26 and 27 November, p.14). Germany, Sweden, Denmark and the United Kingdom nonetheless expressed concern about the vessels to be converted, insisting that the activity of these fishermen does not affect the balance of current fishing. They also requested that sufficient funds be earmarked for the demolition of vessels. Thus, EUR 197 million in total (including EUR 170 million to be allocated in 2002 and EUR 27 million in 2003) will be for the conversion of vessels and re-training of fishermen whose activities must cease because of failed negotiations with Morocco, including EUR 186.4 million for Spain and EUR 10.6 million for Portugal. This aid plan will only benefit the owners of fishing vessels or the fishermen that have received compensation for temporary cessation of their activities between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2001. Details of the amounts are: - EUR 79 million for the demolition of vessels or the reallocation of vessels to ends other than fishing; - EUR 37 million for the definitive transfer of vessels towards third countries, including in the context of a joint undertaking; - EUR 18 million for the modernisation of vessels; - and EUR 63 million for the conversion or the retirement of fishermen.
The Council also adopted by qualified majority the new protocol fixing fishing possibilities and the financial compensation foreseen in the fisheries agreement between the Community and Mauritania. Italy and Greece did not rally to the majority as they were not successful in obtaining the additional fishing licenses hoped for. The new fishing possibilities correspond to those foreseen in the initial Commission proposal (see EUROPE of 2 August, p.13). In a declaration, Spain undertook to provide these two delegations with possible quota surpluses except for cephalopods and crustaceans (species that are in demand in Italy and Greece). Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Sweden felt it was necessary to launch a true debate on the agreements with third countries (mainly on the relation between the financial compensation granted and the fishing possibilities and on the prospects for local fisheries development), while showing they were concerned by the state of cephalopod stocks. German Secretary of State at the Federal Agriculture Ministry, Martin Wille, called on the Commission to reflect on how to ensure better consistency between environmental concerns and the Common Fisheries Policy.
The Belgian Presidency was not able to bring the issue of extending the Multiannaul Guidance Programme (MAGP IV) out of deadlock, but Ms Neyts pointed out she was optimistic that this would be achieved during the December Fisheries Council. The Commission, supported by Germany and the United Kingdom, refused all change in the initial proposals and therefore opposed the compromise text suggested by the Presidency (it had mainly proposed that, for vessels of under 12 metres other than trawlers, the current conditions for granting pubic aid should be maintained). The Commission noted that, given the current state of fish stocks, it is necessary to give a clear political signal as to the determination to pursue reduction of the fishing effort and to make the conditions for granting public aid to the construction and modernisation of vessels more strict. Germany felt that the primordial issues of stock conservation could only be guaranteed through additional capacity reduction. Seven countries (F, GR, E, I, IEL, NL and P) maintained their wish to see extension of MAGP in the current conditions, and without making the rules more severe, as the Commission would like. They rejected the Presidency's compromise.
Commissioner Franz Fischler presented his road map on reform of the common fisheries policy to the ministers. End February or early March, he will present a policy paper on reform, to be discussed at the Fisheries Council in April. The Commission will present its legislative proposals early June for adoption by ministers before the end of the year 2002.