WRITTEN QUESTION E-2987/02 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Measures to reduce fisheries accidents.
Date: 2002-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU control, EU law - national law, fishing industry, fishing vessel, national implementing measure, occupational accident, occupational health, occupational safety, technical rule

12.6.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 137 E/143

Policy reform, the Commission has proposed to keep the financial support to the scrapping of vessels and
to eliminate aid for the construction of vessels. The Commission expects these measures to have a positive
impact on the average age of the fleet, as older and less efficient vessels would be scrapped first. At the
same time, the Commission has proposed to continue Community co-financing for safety investments.

(2003/C 137 E/162)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2987/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Measures to reduce fisheries accidents

Paragraph 8 of the EP’s resolution of 5 April 2001 on Fisheries: safety and causes of accidents (1) ‘calls for a
common European system which takes into account the differences between fishing fleets, which will
make stricter and more systematic checks possible as regards the technical inspection of vessels, including
smaller vessels and the oldest vessels, and as regards inspections relating to working conditions, so as to
inspections which include checks on the
ensure compliance with rules on safety, compulsory annual
regulation safety equipment, the application of penalties and checks on communication equipment on
board’.

Has the Commission taken any steps in this connection?

Does not the Commission believe that a common system would help reduce the number of fishery
accidents?

(1) OJ C 21 E, 24.1.2002, p. 359.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(13 December 2002)

Given the differences in fishing fleet composition between Member States and the variability of accident
risks by segment and zone of activity, the Commission does not consider that a common European system
would necessarily lead to a reduction in accidents.

As far as verification of application of national
legislation transposing the European Directives on
protection of workers’ health and their safety (1) are concerned, it is up to Member States to take the action
necessary to ensure adequate inspection and surveillance.

The Commission draws the Honourable Member’s attention to its communication Adapting to change in
work and society: a new Community strategy on health and safety at work 2002-2006 (2) and to the
Council Resolution on a new Community strategy on health and safety at work (2002-2006) (3), which are
aimed at securing a constant reduction in accidents at work and occupational illness. This involves setting
measurable targets at both European and Member State level, particularly in the occupational sectors with
above average incidences.

(1) Council Directive 89/391/EEC, 18 June 1989, OJ L 183, 29.6.1989. Council Directive 93/103/EEC, 23 November
1993, OJ L 307, 13.12.1993. Council Directive 89/655/EEC, 30 November 1989, OJ L 393, 30.12.1989 Council
Directive 89/656/EEC, 30 November 1989, OJ L 393, 30.12.1989 Council Directive 90/269/EEC, 29 May 1990,
OJ L 156, 21.6.1990.
(2) COM(2002) 118 final.
(3) Resolution of 3 June 2002, OJ C 161, 5.7.2002.