WRITTEN QUESTION E-2096/01 by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission. Long-term management plans for important Community fish stocks.
Date: 2001-07-13
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common fisheries policy, fishery management

29.8.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/3

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(5 September 2001)

The question of the Honourable Member apparently refers to a court case involving Greece (case
1.
C-426/98) that is presently pending before the Court of Justice. The case concerns contributions in favour
of the lawyer’s welfare fund, insofar as they are levied in connection with the setting up of a company or
the increase of a company’s capital. The Commission considers that they are contrary to Article 10 of
Council Directive 69/335/EEC concerning indirect taxes on the raising of capital (1).

Apart from this issue of tax rules, which are harmonised at Community level, Member States remain free
to opt for the tax policies which they consider the most adequate, including the financing of organisations
by parafiscal taxes. Such tax policy must however respect the general principles of Community law.

2.

The Commission has no intention to make proposals in this field.

(1) OJ L 249, 3.10.1969.

(2002/C 205 E/004)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2096/01

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Long-term management plans for important Community fish stocks

In the conclusions to its meeting of 18 June 2001 the Fisheries Council invited the Commission to develop
long-term management plans for important Community stocks. Will the Commission indicate how it is
is pursuing with
it state what contacts it
from the Council, and will
following up this request
representatives of the fishing industry in the Member States with regard to this matter?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2001)

A number of long-term management plans are already in place. In particular, there are plans agreed with
Norway for stocks of cod, haddock, saithe, plaice and herring in the North Sea and for mackerel in the
north-east Atlantic. Similarly, there are already long-term plans, evolved within the International Baltic Sea
Fisheries Commission, for the management of cod, sprat and salmon in the Baltic. A management plan for
Baltic herring is still under discussion.

The essential elements of all these plans is to make decisions about the appropriate long-term fishing
mortality rate which corresponds to a long-term sustainable fishing. TACs will then be selected in each
future year to be in accordance with these fishing mortality rates.

The Commission wishes to spread this concept to other major fish stocks autonomous to the Community,
including stocks such as cod and hake that will be the subject of long-term recovery plans.

The Commission has recently issued a Communication on the rebuilding of cod and hake stocks, which is
intended to serve as a basis for discussion both with the fishing industry and the Member States before the
Commission finalises its proposals at the end of this year.

C 205 E/4

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

It should also be noted that the recently-established emergency measures and other related measures for
cod and hake in Community waters have been undertaken in close contact with industry and the
Commission intends to continue this process in similar close contact.

To further the Commission’s thinking on this topic, the Commission has initiated further scientific
research, the results of which will be available in the near future.

(2002/C 205 E/005)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2271/01

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Trafficking in children between Moldova and Italy

(31 July 2001)

On 2 November 2000 the Italian magazine ‘Panorama’ revealed the shameful facts about trafficking in
women from Moldova and Ukraine, thousands of whom arrive in Italy every day. After becoming
prostitutes the young women are forced to become pregnant and, once they have given birth, are obliged
to give up their babies for adoption. The beneficiaries of the trafficking are Italian families who can afford
it. The turnover of this trafficking in human beings is estimated at Lit 8 thousand billion per year. The fact
that the law on international adoptions is highly restrictive and often makes prospective adoptive parents
wait a very long time is no justification for this trade. It is extremely serious and a source of shame for the
West.

Can the Commission say:

1. whether it is aware of this revolting trade;

2. whether it intends to call on the competent authorities of the Member States to tackle the problem
more decisively, if necessary with the assistance of Europol, since this appalling crime comes under
their jurisdiction;

3. what political measures it intends to adopt vis-à-vis the countries of Eastern Europe,

in this case
Moldova C although unfortunately the phenomenon is widespread in other countries too C to ensure
that they combat organised crime more effectively, since it seems to have a more efficient network of
links than the European police forces have;

4. whether it does not consider it desirable for the Member States to cooperate in offering assistance to

the victims, who find themselves in such appalling situations?

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Over the past years, the Union has developed a comprehensive policy to fight against trafficking in human
beings in general and in women and children in particular. This policy is characterised by the central focus
put on the victims of trafficking and on the need to involve all the persons responsible for the fight against
this degrading form of violation of human rights and human dignity. The Conclusions of the Tampere
(15-16 October 1999) and the Feira (19-20 June 2000) European Councils underlined the importance of
the external dimension within the Union’s activities in the field of justice and home affairs if an area of
freedom, security and justice is to be achieved.

Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine have been identified as source and transit countries of trafficked
women and are, in particular in the case of Moldova, exporters to the sex industry. Women’s hopes for a
better life are abused and they are lured by false promises. The recruitment proceedings vary from locals,
friends and relatives pursuading women to leave their homes for better opportunities, to advertisements in
the newspapers and on the Internet for various kinds of legal agencies. In the latter case, illegal activities
are covered by legal activities, which is typical for organised criminality.