A4-0141/97

Proposal for a Council Decision on a specific measure to encourage Italian fishermen to diversify out of certain fishing activities (COM(96)0682 - C4-0037/97 - 96/0308(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 5

>Original text>

Whereas the economic and social problems affecting the areas dependent on this type of fishing (most of which lie within regions eligible for Structural Funding under Objective 1) are such that it cannot be abandoned effectively or quickly without a conversion plan and accompanying measures;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the economic and social problems affecting the areas dependent on this type of fishing (most of which lie within regions eligible for Structural Funding under Objective 1) are such that it cannot be abandoned effectively or quickly without a voluntary conversion plan and accompanying measures;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 6

>Original text>

Whereas the Italian Government has drawn up an overall plan to resolve the problem once and for all; whereas the plan depends for its success on offering interested parties genuine aid incentives to participate in it; whereas most of the possible measures fall within the scope of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG); whereas they will be financed from the FIFG following normal procedure;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, in the light of the criteria laid down in the specific agreement with the producers' organizations and trade unions in the sector, the Italian Government has drawn up a voluntary overall plan to resolve the problem once and for all; whereas the plan depends for its success on offering interested parties genuine aid incentives to participate in it; whereas most of the possible measures fall within the scope of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG); whereas they will be financed from the FIFG following normal procedure;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 7a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas fishing effort in the Mediterranean needs to be harmonized, and technical measures enforced in a uniform fashion; whereas the EU, together with other institutions such as the General Fisheries Council for the Mediterranean (GFCM), using the available legal means laid down by international organizations, pending laws enabling a total ban to be imposed on drift nets, should undertake to carry out checks in order to ensure that drift nets in the Mediterranean fishery as a whole conform to the 2.5 km length limit;

(Amendment 4)

Article 1, introduction

>Original text>

As part of the plan drawn up by the Italian Government to reorganize and diversify out of drift net fishing for large pelagic fish, as notified to the Commission on 25 July 1996, a specific measure is hereby established to grant aid:

>Text following EP vote>

As part of the voluntary plan drawn up by the Italian Government to reorganize and diversify out of drift net fishing for large pelagic fish, as notified to the Commission on 25 July 1996, a specific measure is hereby established to grant aid:

(Amendment 5)

Article 1(a)

>Original text>

(a) to nationals of any Member State employed on 22 July 1996 as fishermen on a fishing vessel flying the Italian flag, practising this type of fishing, or who were employed in 1995, in the form of compensation for suspending this activity. The amount of this compensation cannot exceed ECU 918.23 per fisherman per month, for a maximum of six months, and can only be paid for the years 1996, 1997 and 1998. To qualify for this compensation, fishermen must undertake to cease this fishing activity or to convert to another activity in 1997, 1998 or 1999, in conformity with the Italian plan;

>Text following EP vote>

(a) to fishermen regularly employed on 22 July 1996 on a fishing vessel flying the Italian flag, practising this type of fishing, or who were employed in 1995, in the form of compensation for suspending this activity. The amount of this compensation cannot exceed ECU 918.23 per fisherman per month, for a maximum of six months, and can only be paid for the years 1996, 1997 and 1998. To qualify for this compensation, fishermen must undertake to cease this fishing activity or to convert to another activity in 1997, 1998 or 1999, in conformity with the Italian plan;

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on a specific measure to encourage Italian fishermen to diversify out of certain fishing activities (COM(96)0682 - C4-0037/97 - 96/0308(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(96)0682 - 96/0308(CNS) ((OJ C 59, 26.2.1997, p. 21.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 of the EC Treaty (C4-0037/97),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A4-0095/97),

- having regard to the second report of the Committee on Fisheries (A4-0141/97),

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.