WRITTEN QUESTION E-0212/01 by Catherine Stihler (PSE) to the Commission. CFP and MEAs.
Date: 2001-02-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU environmental policy, biodiversity, common fisheries policy, conservation of fish stocks, environmental protection, fishing regulations, international convention, marine environment

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Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.8.2001

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-171/01 and E-0211/01
given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 March 2001)

The intention of the Commission is to launch a wide ranging debate on the future of the Common
Fisheries Policy. The Green Paper will be made available to all interested parties. The main objective of the
Commission is to involve as many stakeholders as possible and, as such, it encourages them to send
proposals and comments on the Green Paper to the Commission.

Furthermore, the Commission will organise a public hearing in early June 2001 where all the interested
parties will have the possibility to present their views, ideas and comments regarding the future of the
Common Fisheries Policy.

(2001/C 235 E/153)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0172/01

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 February 2001)

Subject: CFP

including the
The EC is bound by a number of international and EC environmental commitments,
Convention on Biological Diversity, the Amsterdam Treaty, the Habitats Directive and the UN Fish Stocks
Agreement. How does the Commission intend to ensure that these commitments are incorporated in the
CFP after 2002?

(2001/C 235 E/154)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0212/01

by Catherine Stihler (PSE) to the Commission

(2 February 2001)

Subject: CFP and MEAs

The EC is bound by a number of international and EC environmental commitments,
including the
Convention on Biological Diversity, the Amsterdam Treaty, the Habitats Directive and UN Fish Stocks
Agreement. How does the Commission intend to ensure that these commitments are incorporated into the
CFP after 2002?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-172/01 and E-0212/01
given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(12 March 2001)

The commitments cited by the Honourable Member are already being progressively incorporated in the
current Common Fisheries Policy.

In first place, as far as the first two items mentioned in the question are concerned, the Commission
wishes to draw the attention of the Honourable member to some recent or imminent policy documents
describing the operational modalities of the implementation of such commitments, such as:

(cid:129) the Communication on a Biodiversity Strategy (1), to be followed by sectoral Biodiversity Action Plans,

including fisheries (expected in March 2001),

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Official Journal of the European Communities

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(cid:129) the Communication on nature conservation and fisheries management in the marine environment (2),
to be followed by the Communication on the elements of a strategy for the integration of
environmental protection requirements into the Common Fisheries Policy (expected by March 2001).

Secondly, as far as the Habitats Directive (3) is concerned, the Commission is using all its means, including
those of a financial nature, to ensure its complete implementation in the marine environment.

Furthermore, the Commission(cid:146)s proposal for a 6th Environment Action Programme (4), in Article 5, point 5,
proposes, (cid:145)promoting greater integration of environmental considerations in the Common Fisheries Policy,
taking the opportunity of its review in 2002(cid:146) and in point 7, (cid:145)A thematic strategy for the protection of the
marine environment(cid:146). The implementation of relevant
international and Community environmental
commitments will be important topics to be addressed in this context.

Finally, although ratification by the Community of the United Nations (UN) Agreement on straddling and
highly migratory fish stocks is still pending, the Commission in proposing Community legislation is
already taking account of the principles originating from the UN Agreement. Moreover, the Commission is
fisheries organisations
also proposing implementation of management measures adopted by regional
operating within the framework of this Agreement.

The Commission intends to continue this process in a more efficient manner on the basis of a reinforced
Common Fisheries Policy. It is the intention of the Commission that the forthcoming reform of the CFP
will fully take into account the need to deal more effectively with fisheries and environment conservation
issues.

(1) COM(98) 42.
(2) COM(1999) 363.
(3) Directive 92/43/EEC (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992).
(4) COM(2001) 31 final.

(2001/C 235 E/155)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0173/01

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(1 February 2001)

Subject: CFP review and the accession countries

How is the Commission planning to involve the accession states in its consultation process for the CFP
review?

(2001/C 235 E/156)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0213/01

by Catherine Stihler (PSE) to the Commission

(2 February 2001)

Subject: CFP review and accession states

How is the Commission planing to involve the assession states in its consultation process for the CFP
review?