Brussels, 06/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - To the great chagrin of the Spanish MEPs, the European Parliament has pronounced itself in favour of maintaining the Irish Box rules, by adopting the report by British Conservative Struan Stevenson on Wednesday. By 334 votes in favour, 108 against and 48 abstentions, Parliament adopted a single amendment recognising the crucial status of the Irish Box, "which is one of the EU's most sensitive spawning grounds or rearing tanks". It thus supports the opinion of its rapporteur, who believes that the EU must "limit the fishing effort of everyone, without exception, in this zone". The MEPs modified the Commission proposals so that the 1993 and 1995 regulations on fishing effort in this sensitive zone are maintained for a period of ten years, at the end of which scientists will access whether the limited access policy has contributed towards targets for the re-stocking of endangered species.
The Greek Presidency has expressed its wishes that Council will reach agreement on this politically sensitive dossier, which has, in particular, set Spain against Ireland, this June. The meetings that took place on Wednesday at Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) level should have allowed the Presidency to tighten up the compromise text that it presented at the last Council (EUROPE of 27 May, p.7).