WRITTEN QUESTION E-0485/01 by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) and Niels Busk (ELDR) to the Council. State aid to support the fishing industry.
Date: 2001-02-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: France, Spain, State aid, control of State aid, fishing industry, motor fuel

C 340 E/38

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

According to the information provided by the WRFB, the developments commenced in 1996 have
5.
started a major revival in wild brown trout in the great western lakes. The resultant improvement in fish
stocks has endorsed the management and scientific methods used to achieve these goals. The Fisheries
Boards also welcome the Water Framework Directive, Directive 2000/60/EC of the Parliament and of the
Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water
policy (1) and the additional efforts that will be made to ensure the preservation of these lakes in their
pristine condition. In addition the promotion of these lakes as wild brown trout fisheries of international
importance second to none in Europe has already borne very significant results. The continuation of the
programme would further enhance the lakes their rivers and streams and the wild brown trout.

As per the NWRFB, any Community action is supported to ensure water quality is restored on the major
lakes, virtually all of which have shown significant signs of euthrophication over the past ten years or
more. As stated above, the primary responsibility in this regard rests with the various local authorities and
the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).

6.
As indicated by the WRFB, the fish species in the lakes include a number of introduced species (pike,
perch and roach). It has been clearly demonstrated that management of non-native fish species will require
the necessary promotion of native species in order to ensure that these lakes remain predominately
salmonid lakes. The restoration of the lakes and all related habitat should rely on the best scientific advice
available and it has been the objective of the Boards in question to ensure that any works undertaken are
in the light of the best scientific evidence. Any future funds made available will of course be for the works
supported by sound scientific advice.

According to the NWRFB, the situation is that pike are not a native species and were introduced to Ireland
from abroad. They are not, therefore, part of a (cid:145)natural balance(cid:146) in the lakes. As they prey heavily on trout,
it is essential to control their numbers in order to maintain a healthy stock of trout, a native species which
have been present in the lakes for more than ten thousand years.

(1) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.

(2001/C 340 E/043)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0485/01

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) and Niels Busk (ELDR) to the Council

Subject: State aid to support the fishing industry

(23 February 2001)

The Commission recently opened a formal investigation into state aid schemes in France and Spain which
are providing support to the fishing industry following recent increases in fuel prices.

Speaking before the European Parliament(cid:146)s Committee on Fisheries on 10 October 2000, the French
President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Jean Glavany, agreed to ask the Commission about what measures
might reasonably be taken to alleviate the pressure of such structural crises in the industry.

Can the Council outline what joint efforts have been made in this regard?

Reply

(10 July 2001)

The Council has received no proposal for any particular action by the Community in this respect. It would,
however, recall that any national measures must comply with the Community(cid:146)s competition rules and rules
on state aid. Such measures should be notified to the Commission, be degressive and limited in time.

The question was raised on the Presidency(cid:146)s initiative at the Council on 17 November 2000. It has not
been further pursued.