WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3601/97 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA to the Commission. Timetable for submission of the new Commission proposal outlawing driftnets
Date: 1997-11-06
Institutions: European Parliament, VARELA SUANZES-CARPEGNA
Subjects: fishing net, fishing regulations, proposal (EU), protection of animal life













EUR-Lex - 91997E3601 - EN






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91997E3601

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3601/97 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA to the Commission. Timetable for submission of the new Commission proposal outlawing driftnets  


Official Journal C 174 , 08/06/1998 P. 0083 





WRITTEN QUESTION P-3601/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (6 November 1997)Subject: Timetable for submission of the new Commission proposal outlawing driftnetsAt the Council of Fisheries Ministers of 30 April 1997 the Spanish delegation submitted a request for the outlawing of driftnets, which was supported by the Italian and German delegations, provided that the new proposal was consistent with the positions adopted in the report of Parliament.Commissioner Bonino endorsed this position when she addressed the plenary of Parliament on 10 June 1997, undertaking to submit a new proposal before the end of 1997.The ratification of this position by the delegations mentioned above, at the informal Council held in La Toja in September 1997 - also taking into account the statement made by the British fisheries minister to the Spanish delegation to the effect that his government would support a ban along the lines adopted in the report of Parliament - will require a sufficient majority in Council to ensure adoption of the new Commission proposal in its amended form.Can the Commission supply the timetable for the submission of this proposal by the end of 1997?Have any fresh facts led to the alteration of the position expressed by the Commission to the plenary of Parliament?In particular, has any government of any Member State communicated to the Commission a position contrary to or different from that set out at the Council meeting in April 1997 and at the informal Council held in La Toja which might jeopardize a fresh majority or necessitate a change of strategy with a view to the definitive resolution of the problem of driftnet use?Answer given by Ms Bonino on behalf of the Commission (9 December 1997)The first point the Commission would make is that there has never been an informal ministerial meeting in La Toja. The Commission reaffirms its determination to help find a solution as soon as possible on the issue of driftnets, but the outcome does not depend on whether the current Commission proposal serves as a basis for a draft Presidency compromise or whether a new proposal is put forward. It will be determined by whether a qualified majority can be obtained to settle the matter.It was with this in mind that the Commission undertook in April 1997 to approach the Member States most directly concerned to try to find the best way of breaking the deadlock. However, these contacts failed to secure a qualified majority by the end of 1997 on a compromise drafted by the Presidency.Given that the UK Presidency has clearly stated its intention to take swift action, it now seems that the prerequisites are met for seeking the vital qualified majority in the Council.