Murcia, 29/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - On the fringe of the informal Agriculture Council meeting, Commissioner Franz Fischler showed he was determined not to "water down" his proposals of reform for the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), adoption of which is scheduled for 28 May, after having been withdrawn from the agenda of the Commission's meeting last week. (See EUROPE of 27 April, p.17). "We truly need reform" and, in order to give the best guarantee of its success, "I have decided not to risk major opposition within the Commission or the Member States", simply because some demanded further information on the social consequences of this package, said Mr Fischler. He added that he had agreed to make these additional analyses to "make proposals more defendable" (Ed.: at the time of their discussion within the College). "The substance (of these proposals) must be preserved", he said.
Spanish Agriculture Minister Miguel Arias Canete explained his recent declarations on Spanish television, saying that the Member States of the "Friends of Fishing" group (Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece and Ireland) have done everything in their power to delay adoption of the reform proposals, said Mr Fischler. If it were to come to light that Member States had given instructions (to their Commissioners), then "this would be a real case of violation of the Treaty and of our rules", he stressed. Article 213 of the Treaty stipulates that the Commission members should exercise their duties in a fully independent way and in the general interest of the Community, that they must neither solicit nor accept instructions from any government or any organisation, and that each Member State must honour this principle and not seek to influence the members of the Commission in the exercise of their duties. Mr Fischler also pointed out that the "Friends of Fishing" group is not as united as it would have one believe, since certain Spanish demands are not acceptable for some of its members. The Commissioner cited, for example, Spain's determination to "weaken the principle of relative stability", unlike other countries such as Ireland and France.
Commissioner Fischler also pointed out that the second package of proposals, foreseen for the month of July, will essentially concern three subjects: - Mediterranean fishing ("where activity is traditional but often mixed", he commented); - international agreements; - and the processing sector.