WRITTEN QUESTION E-1377/01 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Regional fisheries organisations.
Date: 2001-05-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common fisheries policy, fishery management, international agreement, protection of animal life

C 364 E/94

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

On 13 March 2001, the Irish authorities provided the Commission with a report which concludes that
a haulier was responsible for some illegal movements of sheep. The Commission is not aware whether the
haulier mentioned in this report is the same as that quoted by the Honourable Member. However, the
Commission is confident that the competent authorities of Ireland have done their utmost to trace all
consignments of animals introduced into Ireland in the first weeks of February 2001.

(1) OJ B 121, 29.7.1964.
(2) OJ L 46, 19.2.1991.

(2001/C 364 E/102)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1377/01

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Regional fisheries organisations

(7 May 2001)

Can the Commission give a rational explanation for the continuing protracted delay in the transposition of
rules required to enable the Community to fulfil the obligations incumbent on it because it belongs to
particular regional fisheries organisations (RFOs) and specifically, to name just some examples, to APICD
(the failure to comply with the international agreement concerned resulted in an embargo) and the
CCAMLR, whose 1999 measures have still not entered into force? Furthermore, as far as ICCAT is
concerned, although it is a leading contracting party, the Commission may not meet the deadline laid
down by the Working Group on Allocation Criteria requiring it to submit a discussion document by
21 April, as agreed at ICCAT(cid:146)s 12th extraordinary meeting.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2001)

The Commission is aware of the growing importance to the Community of multilateral management of
maritime fisheries, and it shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s wish that the binding recommendations
adopted by the regional fisheries organisations (RFOs) to which the Commission is a contracting party
should be incorporated into Community law as soon as possible. Since 1999 the Commission has
undertaken extensive work drafting and proposing Council regulations to implement them.

For example, on 16 December 1999 Council Regulation (EC) No 2791/1999 laying down certain control
measures applicable in the area covered by the Convention on future multilateral cooperation in the north-
east Atlantic fisheries (1) incorporated into Community law the control scheme adopted by the Northeast
Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC), and numerous proposals have since been tabled at the Council
and presented to Parliament for opinion.

With regard to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), two
Regulations were proposed: the first on technical measures for highly migratory species (2) (adopted at the
Council meeting (fisheries) on 25 April 2001) and the second on control measures for highly migratory
species (3) (currently being examined by the Council Working Party on External Fisheries Policy). Both
Regulations cover not only the ICCAT rules, but also those of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
and the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).

the
Regarding the Agreement on the
Commission is aware of certain Member States(cid:146) concern about implementing its tuna monitoring system.
The proposal for a Council Regulation adopted by the Commission will shortly be presented to the
Council and to Parliament.

International Dolphin Conservation Programme (AIDCP),

The Council also adopted an implementing proposal on the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic
Mar(cid:237)ne Living Resources (CCAMLR), relating to the scheme for documenting catches of Dissosticchus
species (toothfish). A further two proposals are currently being prepared within the Commission, one on
technical measures
the
CCAMLR Convention. Moreover, the total allowable catches (TACs) and the main technical measures

and one on control measures

covered by

applicable

in the

area

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/95

adopted by the CCAMLR for the 2000/2001 season have already been incorporated into legislation
through Council Regulation (EC) No 2848/2000 of 15 December 2000 fixing for 2001 fishing
opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in
Community waters and, for Community vessels, waters where limitations in catch are required (4).

The Honourable Member also asks about the Community(cid:146)s position vis-(cid:224)-vis the 21-23 May 2001 meeting
of the ICCAT Working Party on Allocation Criteria. At its meeting on 25 April the Council adopted
a common position (5), on the basis of which the Community will make a constructive contribution to the
discussion at the ICCAT Working Party.

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.
(2) OJ C 337 E, 28.11.2000.
(3) OJ C 62 E, 27.2.2001.
(4) OJ L 334, 30.12.2000.
(5) SN 2545/01 (Fisheries).

(2001/C 364 E/103)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1380/01

by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 May 2001)

Subject: Human rights situation in Nigeria

Some states in northern Nigeria have adopted Islamic religious law (the Sharia). This has led to serious
unrest and violence in which thousands of civilians died last year. There is a real possibility of civil war
and of unrest spreading to the whole continent. Nigeria(cid:146)s political
leaders do not seem aware of the
seriousness of the country(cid:146)s political situation when they try to encourage international inward investment.
It seems that at present the EU is the only actor on the international scene strong enough to persuade
Nigeria(cid:146)s political leaders to tackle this problem decisively, and seek a solution.

What does the EU intend to do to remedy the serious situation in Nigeria?

Does the EU intend to take the situation in Nigeria into account in its policies on business, investments
and trade?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(20 July 2001)

The adoption of Islamic religious law (Sharia) has led to serious ethnic and religious violence in Nigeria and
the question of Sharia may lead to further unrest and political agitation. Sharia is popular in certain states
(predominantly in the North) and has been used as a political tool in the absence of social and economic
programmes to improve the living standards of the population. It is certainly part of a wider political
power struggle between different areas of the country (mostly over resource control and allocation).
President Obasanjo has denounced punishments such as amputation as a violation of Nigeria(cid:146)s constitution
and of human rights but is avoiding a legal challenge to Sharia as this would certainly lead to an increased
risk of conflict. He is currently seeking a political solution by a low-key approach.

It should, however, be noted that full Sharia exists in a relatively few states in the Federation and seems
unlikely to be a catalyst for potential civil war as opposed to limited civil unrest. It is one of several factors
affecting the stability of Nigeria. There are no signs that the issue of Sharia itself will have spill over effects
affecting either the region or the whole continent.

Nigeria is keen to attract international investment and their efforts to do so should be both encouraged
and assisted. They have made significant advances in a relatively short time but the legacy of military rule
means that economic systems and practices have to be completely revamped. The signing of a Stand-by