Brussels, 13/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 18 February, the Slovenian presidency of the Council of EU is holding an informal debate in Brussels of EU fisheries ministers on changes to the fisheries monitoring policy. EU Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg will present the Council with the European Commission's upcoming proposals in this domain, due to be published in October this year. The informal debate will be held before the Agriculture Council on the same day and follows on from a meeting of senior member states' civil servants with responsibility for fisheries on 15 January 2008 and a meeting on 1 February 2008 of EU27 fisheries monitoring experts.
The European Commission adopted a communication and a draft regulation on 17 October 2007 on combatting unauthorised fishing. The Commission is planning to unveil a new fisheries control strategy this year which would come into force in 2010 involving a new approach to inspections and controls, increased powers for the Commission, harmonisation of penalties, use of modern technology and updating the work of the EU controls agency. The Commission is expected to suggest acting more rapidly in some areas where there are blatant shortcomings, like inspection procedures and satellite surveillance systems. (L.C.)