WRITTEN QUESTION E-2007/99 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Council. The fisheries sector and the Millennium Round.
C 203 E/112 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 18. 7. 2000 Given the tensions that the use of these nets tends to generate in the fleets fishing in the Bay of Biscay and reports from various fishermenís organisations in the area indicating that nothing like the planned gradual reduction has occurred, would the Council answer the following question: What are the figures on boats operating in the area which have used drift nets from 1995 to the present given to the Council by Member States? Have the Member States complied with the planned reduction in the use of drift nets for the transitional period in preparation for a total ban from 2002? What figures does the Council have on developments in coastal fishing for albacore tuna in 1998 and 1999 as regards catch, nets used and the level of stocks in ICES areas 5b, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a? What boats from which countries have fished in these zones during the two years in question? (1) OJ L 171, 17. 6. 1998, p. 1. Answer (24 January 2000) The Council would draw attention to the fact that control and enforcement of Community legislation on the conservation of fishery resources is primarily the responsibility of Member States. The Commission ensures the coordination and supervision of Member Statesí compliance with this obligation. The Council therefore suggests that the Honourable Members address their questions on the implementa- tion of the phasing out of drift nets in accordance with Council Regulation No 1239/98 to the Commission. (2000/C 203 E/143) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2007/99 by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Council (9 November 1999) Subject: The fisheries sector and the Millennium Round The communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EU approach to the WTO Millennium Round (COM(1999) 331 final) makes no specific mention either of fisheries or of the common fisheries policy. Meanwhile, the governments of Australia, the United States, the Philippines, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand and Peru have presented a communication to the WTO on subsidies to the fisheries sector which, should it become reality, would represent a serious threat to the common fisheries policy and the Community fishing industry. The joint document, based on unsubstantiated assumptions which are not backed up by scientific data on zones and fleets, proposes that in the forthcoming WTO negotiations, members should agree to abolish subsidies which encourage over-capacity in the fisheries sector as they distort trade, are a particular threat to sustainable management of fish stocks and hinder sustainable development. the Given the fragile state of the Community fisheries sector and of areas dependent on fisheries, Millennium Round could have serious consequences if the European Union does not mount a determined defence of our fishing industry. What is the Councilís position on the fisheries sector with a view to the Millennium Round? 18. 7. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 203 E/113 What are the Councilís views on the communication on fisheries subsidies presented by the above governments? How does the Council intend to defend our fisheries sector at the third Ministerial Conference in Seattle? Does it intend to draw attention to the social, environmental and health aspects of the fisheries sector, as well as the purely industrial considerations? Answer (24 January 2000) 1. The competent bodies of the Council have been informed of the communication on fisheries subsidies submitted by Australia, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Philippines and United States to the WTO General Council in the framework of the preparation of the Third WTO Ministerial Conference to be held in Seattle from 30 November to 3 December. 2. In its Conclusions of 26 October 1999 concerning the preparation of the Seattle Conference, the Council has made it clear that any decision on trade liberalisation will take due account of the compliance with the United Nations International Convention on the Law of the Sea and the objectives of International International Agreements on environmental conservation and natural resources management and of Fisheries Agreements. Furthermore, among the general objectives for the negotiations, the Council has stressed the need to ensure that an appropriate balance between the further liberalisation of trade and the strengthening of multilateral rules contributes towards sustainable development, environmental protection, social progress the reduction of poverty and consumer health. The Council will follow closely the developments of the preparatory process for the Seattle meeting 3. and will in particular meet in special session in Seattle throughout the duration of the Conference. (2000/C 203 E/144) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2008/99 by Rosa MiguØlez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission Subject: The fisheries sector and the Millennium Round (9 November 1999) The communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the EU approach to the WTO Millennium Round (COM(1999) 331 final) makes no specific mention either of fisheries or of the common fisheries policy. Meanwhile, the governments of Australia, the United States, the Philippines, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand and Peru have presented a communication to the WTO on subsidies to the fisheries sector which, should it become reality, would represent a serious threat to the common fisheries policy and the Community fishing industry. The joint document, based on unsubstantiated assumptions which are not backed up by scientific data on zones and fleets, proposes that in the forthcoming WTO negotiations, members should agree to abolish subsidies which encourage over-capacity in the fisheries sector as they distort trade, are a particular threat to sustainable management of fish stocks and hinder sustainable development. Given the fragile state of the Community fisheries sector and of areas dependent on fisheries, the Millennium Round could have serious consequences if the European Union does not mount a determined defence of our fishing industry. What is the Commissionís position on the fisheries sector with a view to the Millennium Round? What are the Commissionís views on the communication on fisheries subsidies presented by the above governments?