WRITTEN QUESTION E-2099/02 by Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Giving to developing countries longline vessels scheduled for scrapping.
Date: 2002-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: developing countries, donation, fishing regulations, fishing vessel

C 28 E/184

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2003

(2003/C 28 E/208)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2099/02

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

(16 July 2002)

Subject: Giving to developing countries longline vessels scheduled for scrapping

Within the EU, fishermen are being offered incentives to cease using vessels in the form of scrapping
premiums. These vessels could be put to use in the least developed countries to promote local food
production and employment. It would be possible to select those eligible in such a way as to avoid
creating any problems for the objectives of the EU’s common fisheries policy or the EU market.

Does the Commission consider that it might be possible for longline vessels whose use is to be halted in
Member States to be passed on to developing countries for use in projects to foster food production and
employment? What measures could be taken to this end?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(22 August 2002)

The proposal of the Honourable Member to use decommissioned longline fishing vessels for projects in
developing countries is attractive at first sight.

Under the proposed reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, however, aid for the export of fishing vessels
or establishment of joint enterprises with third countries would no longer be granted. The objective of this
modification is to halt the exportation of Community fleet’s overcapacity to other countries, in particular
to under-developed countries. Deficiencies in control and enforcement measures, which are essential to
protect the local resources in such countries, could put them at risk of over-exploitation in the short-term.

The introduction of highly productive fishing vessels at low or no cost could also have a negative impact
on the development of local industries and therefore on the creation of employment. In fact, such a
measure could have exactly the opposite effect on a developing country than the expected outcome.

(2003/C 28 E/209)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2100/02

by Mario Borghezio (NI) to the Commission

(16 July 2002)

Subject: Call for the European Union to save the glaciers in the Alps

The startling news of the enormous accumulation of water in the Alps caused by the melting of the
Monterosa glaciers is a serious emergency and symptomatic of dangers which the European Union will
have to tackle in the future.

The glaciers of the Alps make up a natural landscape unique in Europe and constitute the shared heritage
of all the Alpine peoples. It is now under threat of destruction, not least because inadequate steps have
been taken to safeguard the equilibrium of the climate.

Does not the Commission intend to take appropriate protection measures, monitor the situation and use
its influence in international politics to ensure the adoption of the necessary provisions to avert or at least
reduce the imminent danger of the glaciers disappearing from the Alps?