A4-0007/96

Proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period 21 May 1995 to 20 May 1998, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Madagascar on fishing off Madagascar (COM(95)0376 - C4-0401/95 - 95/0187(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 2a (new)

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Whereas, with a view to keeping the budgetary authority better informed about the implementation of the Protocol, the Commission shall submit every year, before 1 May, a report on the progress made in its implementation, accompanied by an up-dated financial statement;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 2b (new)

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Whereas, in accordance with the Interinstitutional Agreement of 29 October 1993 on budgetary discipline, expenditure relating to this Protocol is non- compulsory;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 2c (new)

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Whereas the Indian Ocean tuna stock and its conservation is of vital importance to the European Union and the coastal states of the region;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 2d (new)

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Whereas the extraordinary increase in catches in the Indian Ocean, which is not accompanied in the present agreement by a scientific observer programme based in Madagascar, will create a dangerous situation for tuna stocks; whereas a regional management regime for tuna, as required by the UNCLOS Convention, has not yet been adequately implemented in this region;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 2e (new)

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Whereas the present agreement does not take sufficient account of the abovementioned developments; whereas future fisheries agreements must incorporate the 'third generation' dimension, while maintaining a legitimate balance between the interests of the two parties, supported by the Union's fisheries policy budget and the EDF, and incorporating, in the total overall budget, an increased obligation on the part of the Union to invest in modernizing local non-industrial fisheries infrastructure and other development and cooperation measures;

(Amendment 9)

Recital 2f (new)

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Whereas this fisheries agreement does not allow for joint operations in regard to local processing, marketing or ship-building and does not cover regional aspects, in particular exploration and regional exploitation of resources, the funding of regional fisheries training centres and regional grants policy,

(Amendment 6)

Article 2a (new)

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Article 2a

In the course of the last year of the Protocol's application, and before the start of negotiations on its possible renewal, the Commission shall submit to the Council and the European Parliament a general assessment report.

(Amendment 7)

Article 2b (new)

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Article 2b

The Council shall, on the basis of the report referred to in Article 2a and taking account of the European Parliament's opinion thereon, authorize the Commission, where appropriate, to start negotiations with a view to the adoption of a new Protocol.

(Amendment 8)

Article 2c (new)

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Article 2c

By the end of 1996 at the latest, the Commission shall present the Council and the European Parliament with a report evaluating the impact of the present fisheries agreement and of other agreements with Indian Ocean states on fishermen in these regions.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on the conclusion of the Protocol defining, for the period 21 May 1995 to 20 May 1998, the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for by the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of Madagascar on fishing off Madagascar (COM(95)0376 - C4-0401/95 - 95/0187(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(95)0376 - 95/0187(CNS),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43, in conjunction with the first sentence of Article 228(2) and the first subparagraph of Article 228(3), of the EC Treaty (C4-0401/95),

- having regard to Rule 90(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Development and Cooperation (A4-0007/96),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.