Voorbereiding Raad: visserijquota 2006 (en)

The Agriculture & Fisheries Council will meet in Brussels on Tuesday 20 (starting at 10h00), Wednesday 21 and (possibly) Thursday 22 December 2005, under the Presidency of Mrs Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Mr Ben Bradshaw, Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare of The United Kingdom.

The main point for discussion at the Council is the annual TAC and quota proposal for fisheries.

The points on the agenda are:

Fisheries

Every year at this time the Council is invited, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, to set Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for the coming year. This year, TACs and quotas have been divided for the first time into two proposed Regulations - one for the Baltic Sea, and the other covering all other Community waters.

Council Regulation fixing for 2006 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in Community waters and for Community vessels in waters where catch limitations are required

The situation of fish stocks in EU waters continues to give serious cause for concern, despite some good news for certain species. The past year has seen the emergency closure of anchovy and sandeel fisheries, and the inability of scientists to provide accurate estimates of North Sea cod stocks is in itself a sign of how perilously low their numbers now are. The Commission is fully committed to a long-term approach to managing EU fish stocks, so as to ensure lasting sustainability while smoothing out the economic and social impact of the inevitable reduction in fishing that will be required. The goal is not simply to conserve fish populations for their own sake, but to provide the Union's fishing industry with the conditions it needs to make a sustainable return to profitability. The cod recovery plan introduced in 2004 has now been joined by similar plans for northern hake, and for southern hake and nephrops off the Iberian Peninsula. Further multi-annual management and recovery plans are currently in various stages of preparation, and this year's TAC and quota proposals are in line with the measures which will come into force once those plans have been adopted.

Cod stocks outside the Baltic Sea

The current situation of the cod stocks in the Kattegat, Skagerrak, North Sea, Eastern Channel, West of Scotland and Irish Sea is truly alarming. Scientists are unable accurately to project current biomass for a number of reasons, one of which is the extremely low level of the population, which makes traditional sampling methods and projections based thereon unreliable.

Under the long-term recovery plan adopted in 2004, the maximum annual variation in TACs and fishing effort is 15%, and the Commission is therefore proposing to reduce both catch and days at sea for vessels targeting cod by that amount. However, scientific studies also show that the majority of fishing mortality for cod stocks occurs as by-catch to vessels fishing on other target species. There is a need, in the interests of both equity and effective conservation, to spread the burden of effort reduction beyond the white fish fleet. The Commission is therefore also proposing a reduction in effort of 15% for trawlers targeting species such as nephrops, whiting and flatfish, and gill netters.

Other stocks covered by multi-annual plans

The situation of northern Hake shows a welcome improvement, though it is too soon to speak of a lasting recovery. Nevertheless, the fishing mortality as laid down in the management plan allows a small increase in TACs and effort, of 3%. This is a good example of how multi-annual management plans can increase fishing possibilities rather than simply reducing them, once stock levels begin to show genuine improvement.

For Southern Hake and nephrops off the Iberian Peninsula, the news is mixed. Again, by applying the conditions laid down in the recovery plan, hake TACs will rise by 12% due to the inclusion of the stocks in the Gulf of Cadiz, which are not covered by the scientific advice, while those for Norway lobster will be reduced by 10% and 2 days less per month will be applied.

Stocks for which a recovery plan has been proposed but has not yet been adopted by Council

In these cases, the TAC and effort limitation proposed are calculated in line with the harvest rules contained in those plans.

Pelagic stocks

Pelagic stocks are in relatively good condition, and the TACs and quotas adopted reflect this.

Deep sea species

Scientific advice again points to the extremely fragile biological state of deep sea stocks, and calls for their urgent protection. Effort was already reduced by 10% for 2005, and the Commission now proposes a further cut of 20% so as to achieve the 30% reduction objective agreed within the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC).

Short-lived species

The situation of the short-lived species is also alarming, particularly anchovy in the Bay of Biscay and sandeel and Norway pout in the North Sea and the Skagerrak, which are in a state of collapse. The Commission is proposing in-year management plans for these endangered stocks. No fishing is proposed for the first half of 2006 for anchovy, and only a very low TAC for sandeel so as to allow for experimental fishing to gather data on spring abundance. Once scientists have provided new advice on the state of stocks in the spring, fishing possibilities may then be proposed in response to real-time information, up to a certain precautionary level.

Technical measures

The TACs and fishing efforts proposals contained in the draft regulation are supported by appropriate technical measures, in addition to those laid down in the so-called Technical Measures regulations Some of the proposed measures are the fruit of proposals received from the industry. The Commission is particularly happy to propose the two-month closure of cod fisheries in the Celtic Sea, and the introduction of a selective grid in Nephrops fisheries in the Grande Vasière area off the south coast of Brittany, both measures initially devised by the industries concerned.

Proposal for a Council Regulation fixing for 2006 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for fish stocks in the Baltic Sea, the Belts and the Sound
For the first time, TACs and quotas for the Baltic Sea this year form the subject of a separate proposal from the Commission to Council
http://europa.eu.int/comm/fisheries/doc_et_publ/factsheets/legal_texts/docscom/en/com_05_598_en.pdf

This proposal was already the subject of an exchange of views at the November Council meeting, as part of the Commission's attempts to reduce the workload in the December meeting.

While the state of most Baltic fish stocks is fairly good, allowing for stable or even increased fishing possibilities to be proposed, the cod stocks continue to give cause for concern, particularly the Eastern Baltic stock. The objective is therefore to rebuild these cod stocks and protect those in a sound biological state while maintaining, as far as possible, the economic activities of the fleets concerned. With regard to Eastern cod, the Commission proposes a TAC for 2006 which is in line with current catch figures, but this high TAC is only acceptable because it constitutes a first step towards a long-term recovery plan including effort limitation measures for which the Commission will shortly table a proposal. The Commission is therefore also seeking measures in parallel to reduce the fishing effort on cod by 10%, over and above the effort reduction contained in the temporary closure measures already agreed within the International Baltic Sea Fisheries Commission. Discussions in the November Council meeting focused on options as to how the additional 10% effort reduction might be achieved.

Fishing possibilities proposed for other stocks remain more or less the same as in 2005, except for an increase in herring TACs and a decrease in those for sprat.

Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing measures for the recovery of the sole stocks in the Western Channel and Bay of Biscay

In January 2004 the Commission tabled a proposal for a multi-annual plan to aid the recovery of sole stocks in the Western Channel and the Bay of Biscay [http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2003:0819:FIN:EN:PDF]. Like other recovery plans, this plan is based on a long-term strategy to rebuild stocks to safe biological levels over a period of 5 to 10 years, while minimising economic disruption to the industry.

The sole stocks covered by the plan have suffered from persistent overfishing to the point where they may no longer be able to replenish themselves.

The recovery plan lays down harvesting rules for the setting of TACs, as well as provisions to gradually reduce the capacity of the main fleet concerned, and proposals to strengthen enforcement and control. These latter measures include the reporting of a vessel's activities in the zones concerned, separate stowing of catches of sole, and rules on their weighing on landing as well as on their transport. Any socio-economic impact of the plan will be addressed in the framework of the Action plan to counter the social, economic and regional consequences of the restructuring of the EU fishing industry adopted by the Commission in 2002.

The sole recovery plan will be presented to Council on Tuesday in the hope of reaching a political agreement in the course of this meeting.

AOB

Restructuring measures for the fisheries sector affected by the current economic crisis

The Commissioner will update the Council on the Commission's progress with initiatives to alleviate the economic crisis currently afflicting the sector. Since his last information to Council on this subject in September, there have been a number of meetings with the sector and the Member States, as well as written submissions of proposed solutions. On the basis of these consultations, the Commission has prepared a draft Communication on improving the economic situation in the fishing industry, and a draft Regulation on the application of a de minimis aid to the fisheries sector. These proposals will be submitted for inter service consultation shortly.

The Communication is intended to set out a framework within which Member States who so wish may intervene in favour of their fishing sector. This is based on an interpretation of the general framework on State Aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty which would allow for specific types of aid adapted to fishing enterprises - for instance, to replace engines with a view to reducing fuel consumption. These measures should be of direct assistance to those companies most severely impacted by the economic difficulties, while also supporting the long-term sustainability of the European fishing industry.

The Regulation meanwhile will propose a review of the ceiling of de minimis aid applicable to the fisheries sector. The precise level to be proposed is still to be determined, but the Commission hopes to adopt the proposal before June 2006.

Commission Action Plan on simplification of the Common Fisheries Policy

The Commission will present to Council the Action Plan for Simplifying and Improving the Common Fisheries Policy over the period 2006-2008 [http://europa.eu.int/comm/fisheries/doc_et_publ/factsheets/legal_texts/docscom/en/com_05_647_en.pdf]
which it adopted on 8 December. These detailed proposals were drawn up on the basis of the Council's Conclusions on simplifying the CFP and following an extensive consultation process with Member States and the fishing industry. The plan identifies a series of priority initiatives for the next three years concentrated on two key areas - conservation and control. This is the first such sectoral action plan to be adopted by the Commission and will lead the way in concrete application of the commitment to better regulation not only in the fisheries sector but in legislative practice in general.
Among the instruments to be addressed under the Action Plan are: TACs and quotas, and fishing effort; technical measures for the protection of young fish; collection and management of data; monitoring measures, including computerised monitoring systems; reporting obligations; and authorisations to fish outside EU waters. By focusing on conservation and control, the Commission hopes to reduce the administrative burden on both fishermen and public authorities working in the fisheries sector thus encouraging the effective, efficient and transparent application of the Common Fisheries Policy.

Agriculture

Simplification and Better Regulation for the CAP

As part of its ongoing drive to reduce the regulatory burden and red-tape (see IP/05/1189 and MEMO/05/340), the European Commission on 19 October 2005 adopted a Communication on Simplification and Better Regulation for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Building on the improvements brought by the recent CAP reform, the time has now come to harmonise as much as possible the rules covering the various agricultural markets. The aim is to reduce red tape for both farmers and administrations by making rules more transparent, easier to understand and less burdensome to comply with. The Commission's Communication calls for the production of an Action Plan during 2006, which will set out the concrete measures envisaged.

For further information on the Communication, see IP/05/1309 and MEMO/05/382. For further information on CAP simplification, see: http://europa.eu.int/comm/agriculture/simplification/index_en.htm

The Council will adopt Conclusions on the Commission Communication.

Wine agreement EU-USA

In September 2005, The European Union and the United States have reached a first phase agreement on trade in wine which will protect EU wine names and secure the EU's biggest and most valuable wine market (see IP/05/1145). Under the accord, the US administration will make a proposal to Congress to change the status of EU wine names such as Burgundy, Champagne, Chablis, Chianti, Madeira, Malaga, Port, Sherry and Tokay currently considered semi-generic terms in the US, and limit their use in the US. The US will also exempt the EU from its new certification requirements, accept the main principles of EU labelling rules and pledge to seek to resolve any bilateral issues concerning trade in wine through informal bilateral consultations rather than through dispute settlement mechanisms. The two sides have also undertaken to build on the agreement by starting to negotiate a more ambitious second-phase accord 90 days after the entry into force of this agreement.

The legal text of the agreement (COM(2005)547) is now on the table of the Council for discussion and adoption.

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WTO Negotiations

Export refunds for live animals.

Animal health and food safety

The agenda points for Health and consumer protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou will be taken on Tuesday afternoon. The points are:

Avian Influenza Directive & Financial Decision

The Council is expected to adopt the Commission's proposal for a Council Directive on Community control measures for avian influenza as well as a Council amending Decision on the financial aspects of Avian Influenza. It is expected that discussions at the Council will focus on the financial Decision, in particular the co-financing of measures to control LPAI and the percentage of co-financing paid by the Community.

The Commission's proposal for a Directive is based on lessons learned from recent epidemics and new scientific knowledge. An important focus of the proposed legislation is to introduce more measures against low pathogenic viruses to prevent mutation into the highly pathogenic forms that have been responsible for the most dramatic epidemics and which are more likely to harm human health. The proposal also provides for reinforced surveillance and greater flexibility for the use of vaccination under strictly controlled conditions.

The legislation is expected to enter into force 1 January 2007. The previous legislation on avian influenza (Directive 92/40/EEC) will then be repealed.

GM 1507 Authorisation

Commissioner Kyprianou will also take a point on the referral for the authorisation of 1507 maize for which the Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCOFCAH) did not reach a qualified majority decision. This is the first authorisation procedure under the Regulation on GM food and feed.

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State of Play of Animal Welfare Action Plan

Commissioner Kyprianou will update the Council on the State of play of the Commission's proposal for an Action Plan on Animal Welfare.

Bluetongue - Morocco

The Commissioner will also take a point submitted by Spain concerning the sheep disease bluetongue and more particularly the international efforts to control this disease.

Avian Influenza

Commissioner Kyprianou will update Ministers on recent developments regarding Avian Influenza, and on measures adopted since the last Agriculture Council. He will also inform them about the participation of the Commission to the Beijing Pledging Conference in January 2006.