WRITTEN QUESTION E-2921/00 by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Preservation of fishing stocks.
Date: 2000-09-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Union, authorised catch, deep-sea fishing, fishery management, international negotiations, third country

18.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 113 E/213

At present, given the continuous resistance of the Council in general, there are no negotiations taking
place between the Community and Romania with a view to the conclusion of a road transport agreement
replacing completely the bilateral agreements concluded between Member States and Romania.

(1) OJ L 95, 9.4.1992.

(2001/C 113 E/229)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2919/00

by Didier Rod (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Subject: Science and technology cooperation with developing countries

In the Fifth Research Framework Programme an approximate € 210 million have been devoted to S & T in
developing countries, notably in the sectors of health, environment and agriculture. Given the long-
standing S & T cooperation with Asia, Africa and Latin America over the past two decades and the high
profile given to it by bi-regional political fora (ASEM, Rio Summit 1999, EU-Africa Summit April 2000)
and its relevance for the implementation of the Conventions for Biodiversity, Desertification and Climate
Change, what is the role to be assigned to S & T cooperation in the European Research Area and the Sixth
Framework Programme?

European research has been promoted against the background of improving EU integration, competitive-
ness and of guaranteeing European presence in top research areas of the international scientific commun-
ity. Since the 1980s (cid:129) and as a synergy with EU development policies (cid:129) the INCO programme promotes
scientific cooperation with developing countries.

In the recent discussions about the European Research Area, the international scientific cooperation with
developing countries is not even mentioned. Does this mean that 20 years of fruitful scientific partnership
with these countries will be given up?

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(11 October 2000)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its answer to Written Question E-2091/00 by
Mr Salafranca SÆnchez-Neyra (1).

The said answer still applies.

(1) OJ C 89 E, 20.3.2001.

(2001/C 113 E/230)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2921/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Subject: Preservation of fishing stocks

In the light of the Ospar Report findings, has the Commission plans to take steps to ensure the protection
of deep-sea fishing stocks?

C 113 E/214

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.4.2001

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 October 2000)

The Commission intends to take immediate measures to help protect fish stocks in the deep sea.

These stocks are widely distributed in Community waters, international waters and also in the waters of
other countries in the Northeast Atlantic, and so it is important that a co-ordinated approach should be
taken by the relevant states. As a first step, the Commission has tabled a discussion of the management of
the deep-sea resources at the next meeting of the Northeast Atlantic fisheries commission. It is hoped that
substantive progress on agreeing common courses of action will be achieved.

Notwithstanding the outcome of these discussions, the Commission intends, as an interim measure, to
propose catch limits (cid:129) total allowable catches (TACs) (cid:129) for deepwater species in the Northeast Atlantic
area. These TACs would be proposed according to the most recent scientific advice available from the
International council for the exploration of the sea (ICES). The Commission also notes the need for
equitable allocations of resources between Member States, and will make appropriate proposals to that
effect.

The Commission is aware that ICES has recommended that for many species the directed fishing effort
should be reduced. The Commission will
therefore consider such measures for future application.
Consultations will be held with interested parties before specific proposals are made in this context.

The Commission will also examine measures to improve scientific knowledge of these resources and
consider appropriate proposals.

The Commission(cid:146)s proposals will be intended to achieve long-term sustainability of the deep-sea fisheries,
concomitant with precautionary and rational exploitation of the fish stocks and the ecosystems on which
they depend.

(2001/C 113 E/231)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2923/00

by Charles Tannock (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 September 2000)

Subject: Food labelling with specific reference to disease risk reduction information on food packs

Does the Commission agree that there is a need for urgent action in the context of proposed measures on
functional foods to authorise disease risk reduction information on food packs, provided that the benefits
described are based on sufficient and recognised scientific findings and have been reviewed and confirmed
by an independent body within the European Union, recognising that there is a distinction between
provision of disease risk reduction information and claims that particular foods prevent, treat or cure a
disease?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(27 October 2000)

There is no definition of (cid:145)functional foods(cid:146) in Community legislation. This is because, given that each food,
of whatever kind, has a function, there is no justification for describing foods that belong to a particular
category as (cid:145)functional(cid:146).