Brussels, 02/03/2006 (Agence Europe) - Further to the European Commission's decision to impose a fine of over EUR 57 billion on France for failing to meet all the Court's obligations regarding the fishing of undersized hake (see EUROPE 9142)), Paris has announced that it will challenge the decision before the Court of Justice with a view to its annulment. France considers it has taken all the measures required by the Court of Justice ruling and believes with regret that the Commission has not taken into account the results obtained by the strengthened monitoring plan implemented since July last year. The plan, which stepped up inspections by 50%, demonstrates the strictly residual nature of the fishing and marketing of juveniles, the Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries states in a press release. Only 3% of the inspections carried out have been positive over the last six months, and severe sanctions have been applied, it adds. The fine imposed by the Commission is considered, moreover, completely “out of proportion”, the amount being what it would be if France had not carried out any inspection measures at all, the Ministry complains.