Brussels, 19/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on 24 May, the Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers of the EU are to reach political agreement on the creation on regional consultative councils this year, to get the sector increasingly involved in decisions on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The Irish Presidency has also planned a public debate on the subject, which is very close to its heart. Furthermore, the Council will try to reach agreement on a change to provisions on structural aid in the fisheries sector. The working lunch will focus on the latest developments in negotiations with the WTO and the Mercosur countries on the liberalisation of agricultural trade.
Regional advisory councils: Council is to decide on the creation of seven regional advisory councils- the six initially proposed by the European Commission, for the Baltic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, North Sea, North-western waters, South-western waters, and Pelagic stocks (blue whiting, mackerel, scad, atlantic-scandinavian herring), plus a seventh, by request of Spain and Portugal (with the support of France), for fishing in far-off waters (over half of EU catch comes from international waters and sectors under the jurisdiction of third countries).
The proposal, which dates from 15 October 2003, was examined on 12 May by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper). Ministers have still to reach agreement on two elements of the proposal:
Transparency of meetings: the Commission, supported notably by Denmark, insists that all meetings of the executive committee and the board of these structures should be open to the public, whereas France, Portugal and Spain believe that confidentiality of meetings of the executive committee would ensure the effectiveness of the activities of the regional advisory councils. As a compromise, the Presidency will suggest the possibility of making some of the board meetings confidential. This decision will be taken by qualified majority of the members.
Community financial contribution: most delegations are calling for an increase in the Community contribution to the running costs of these regional advisory councils. The Commission envisages a contribution for the first three years. Under the proposal, the sum allocated for the running costs will be limited for each council at 85% of budget for the first year, not exceeding 100,000 EUR. For the two following years, the financial contribution will be gradually decreased. The Commission has provided a budget of 2.278 million EUR for the period 2004-2009 (the councils will be phased in between 2004 and 2006).
The regional advisory councils will send opinions to the Commission and/or the Member State in question about fishery proposals, including plans to replenish stocks under threat, technical measures or any other kind of measures affecting fishing areas concerned. The aim is also to reinforce dialogue between scientific exports and fishermen.
Structural aid to fishing: last November, the Commission presented a proposal aiming to: -clarify the definitions of aquaculture, intensive and extensive fish breeding; -increase Community aid by 10% to extensive fish breeding and reduce it for intensive; -provide financial aid for shellfish farmers for suspension of harvest for over 6 months following the growth of toxic algae.
The proposal has since been modified to take account of the requests by Council in December and March. The proposal provides: -the option of increasing aid for fishermen affected by stock replenishment plans; -the granting of Community aid for purchasing acoustic deterrent devices (designed to reduce accidental by-catch of small cetaceans in fishing nets). Spain is calling for an increase in aid to fishermen whose activities are affected by restocking plans, and several countries (Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Poland and the Baltic States) want the Community budget to cover the entire cost of installing the acoustic devices. The Commission is opposed to these requests. The Presidency will therefore have to find a compromise solution on these issues.
Under "any other business", the British delegation will present the Council with a report on the future of national fishing, by the Prime Minister's "strategy unit".