Strasbourg, 23/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg on Tuesday 22 May, the European Parliament approved, but brought some amendments to, the proposal for a new fisheries partnership agreement between the EU and Greenland (see EUROPE 9317 for the initial proposal). In adopting the report by Joop Post (EPP-ED, Netherlands) on this new six-year agreement (with effect from 1 January 2007), the EP will require member states to declare their catches to the Commission, and, it they fail to do so, they will not be granted fishing licences the following year.
An amendment gives the EU the right to adjust quotas after 2010 in the event of their being found not to be in line with the EU's own sustainability policy. Two other amendments relate to the information with which the Commission has to provide the Parliament, including a detailed evaluation of the agreement before it is renewed, and reports on the outcome of the multi-annual sectoral programme. The financial compensation paid by the EU to Greenland is €15.8 million per year. In exchange, the Community fleet will receive fishing possibilities for a number of fish stocks (cod, sea bream, Greenland halibut, Atlantic halibut, shrimp, capelan, and snow crab). (lc)