WRITTEN QUESTION E-0605/02 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Opening of Chilean ports to unloading by EU fishing vessels.
Date: 2002-03-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Chile, EU relations, common commercial policy, common fisheries policy, fishing industry, technical barriers to trade, trade dispute, trade relations, world organisation

C 205 E/170

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

The EU has also agreed with Mexico to study (cid:21) no later than 1 September 2001 (cid:21) the possibility of
opening a quota for tuna steak at a preferential rate of duty under the free trade agreement.

Can the Commission provide information on the state of play of these negotiations with Mexico?

Since the quota of 4 000 tonnes of tuna steak at a 6 % preferential rate of duty was not exhausted in either
of the two years (2000 and 2001) of its existence so far, can the Commission state whether it believes it
necessary to open a new quota for tuna steaks from other countries on the basis of a preferential rate of
duty, as in the Mexican case?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(17 April 2002)

In Article 10(5) of Decision No 2/2000 of the EC-Mexico Joint Council (1) the parties undertook to begin
discussions to examine the possibility of opening a preferential tariff rate quota for tuna steaks before
1 January 2002.

At the EC-Mexico Joint Committee meeting on 2 October 2001 the Mexican authorities made a formal
request to the Commission for the discussions to begin. In November and December the Commission and
the Mexican authorities held technical level meetings to explore the possibilities of opening a quota. No
further meetings are scheduled at present.

On the second part of his question the Honourable Member is asked to refer to the Commission’s reply to
his written question E-1156/01 (2).

(1) COM(2002) 125 final.
(2) OJ C 318 E, 13.11.2001.

(2002/C 205 E/182)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0605/02

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

Subject: Opening of Chilean ports to unloading by EU fishing vessels

(6 March 2002)

Despite the EU-Chile agreement reached in January 2001, following a complaint to the WTO by the
Commission (at the urging of EU shipowners), the Chilean authorities are still maintaining obstructive
practices, enforcing a set of rules and controls over catch unloading in international waters which have
given rise to repeated complaints from the EU fisheries sector.

1.

2.

Is the Commission aware of these Chilean rules, which may be in breach of international law?

Is the Commission aware of the Chilean authorities’ obstructive practices vis-à-vis the EU fleet?

Can the Commission state what action it has taken or intends to take with regard to Chile in this

3.
context?

4. What measures has the Commission taken with a view to establishing a Regional Fisheries
Organisation for the southern Pacific, which would manage fish stocks in international waters which are
of major interest for the EU fleet?

29.8.2002

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Official Journal of the European Communities

C 205 E/171

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2002)

In January 2001 the Community and Chile came to an arrangement that allowed temporary suspension of
the proceedings initiated by the Community in the World Trade Organisation and by Chile at the
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The Community’s complaint to the WTO was over the Chilean rules held to obstruct access to Chilean
ports for landings and transhipments by Community vessels operating in international waters.

The Commission is closely monitoring implementation of the arrangements of 25 January 2001. It has
held several meetings with the Chilean authorities in order to settle all practical points of detail with
particular reference to launching of the joint fishing programme. Given the particular allocation of
responsibilities the Spanish authorities have also been directly involved in these meetings. Most of the
technical points having now been settled, the Commission awaits, for transmission to Chile and launching
of the programme, the list of Spanish vessels that are to participate.

On creation of a new OFR for the South East Pacific,
following the latest contacts between the
Commission and the Chilean authorities an international consultation will be held in Chile in May. The
Community and Chile have invited a number of parties with an interest in swordfish fishing in the South
East Pacific. The main aim will be to determine terms of reference and the most appropriate form of
multilateral cooperation.

(2002/C 205 E/183)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0612/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Subject: Sustainable fishing policy and the ‘Atlantic Dawn’

In its Green Paper on the review of the Common Fisheries Policy (1) the Commission made explicit its
desire to see the overcapacity in the EU fishing fleet reduced, calling for this to be done in a manner
reflecting a sustainable and responsible policy where stakeholders are suitably represented.

Does the Commission’s re-registration of the 144 metres ‘Atlantic Dawn’ as a fishing vessel honour this
commitment, given that Irish pelagic capacity will have to be significantly reduced to accommodate a
single vessel which will inevitably deprive other fishermen of their employment?

Does not
Organization’s International Plan of Action for the Management of Fishing Capacity?

this re-registration contradict

the EU’s commitment

to the UN Food and Agriculture

Given the nature of the EU-Mauritania agreement, much of the fish caught by the ‘Atlantic Dawn’ will be
transshipped to the Canaries and exported back to West Africa. Will the Commission indicate what impact
it expects the agreement to have on local artisanal fisheries and local marketing networks in West Africa?

(1) COM(2001) 135.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(24 April 2002)

The Commission Decision 2002/104/EC of 31 January 2002 amending Decision 98/125/EC approving the
multiannual guidance programme for the fishing fleet of Ireland for the period from 1 January 1997 to
31 December 2001 (1) altered the Irish multiannual guidance programme (MAGP) target in the pelagic