WRITTEN QUESTION E-2986/02 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Council. Measures to reduce fisheries accidents.
Date: 2002-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: fisherman, fishing vessel, occupational accident, occupational health, occupational safety

3.7.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 155 E/71

Article 17b(2) of Directive 93/104/EC, as amended, obliges Member States to take the necessary measures
to ensure that any worker on board a sea-going fishing vessel is entitled to adequate rest and that the
hours of work are limited to 48 per week on average.

Member States have to transpose this Directive into national legislation by 1 August 2003.

According to Article 3 of Directive 2000/34/EC, the Commission has to review the operation of the
provisions with regard to workers on board sea-going fishing vessels no later than 1 August 2009, in
particular as far as the health and safety provisions are concerned.

The Council therefore considers that any future steps to change the working time of fishermen with a view
to improving their safety should be taken in the light of the findings of the above-mentioned review by the
Commission. In any event, the Council is not in a position to take further steps in the absence of a
Commission proposal.

(2003/C 155 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2986/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Council

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Measures to reduce fisheries accidents

Paragraph 7 of the EP’s resolution of 5 April 2001 on Fisheries: safety and causes of accidents (1) ‘calls on
the Council to entrust the Commission with the task of coordinating all efforts made both by the
Commission and the Member States and by international organisations and to consult with the industry
itself and Member States’ training providers on means to promote and strengthen preventive and safety
measures in relation to fishing’.

Has the Council taken any steps in this connection?

Does the Council not believe that coordination by the Commission in this area would help reduce the
number of fishery accidents?

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

Reply

(20 February 2003)

Safety in relation to fishing activities is one of the main concerns of Council legislation in the fisheries
sector;
in particular, Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 laying down the detailed rules and
arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in this sector provides for public aid for the
modernisation of fishing vessels including i.a. improvements in safety on board.

In the framework of the proposals on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, the Commission has put
forward a proposal amending Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 which includes measures
the
continuation of aid for the modernisation of vessels, in particular safety on board, provided that these
measures do not increase the fishing effort.

for

The Council is currently examining these proposals.

In the area of safety and health at the workplace, the new Community strategy on health and safety at
work (2002-2006) plays an important role.

The Council adopted a Resolution on the new Community strategy in June 2002 in which it noted the
need to promote health and safety at work in Community policies and to develop a coordinated approach
covering, inter alia, the common fisheries policy.

C 155 E/72

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

3.7.2003

Under Point II.7 of this Resolution the Council calls on the Commission to submit to it, by way of the
Commission’s right of initiative, any proposal needed for achieving the health and safety objectives set out
in the new strategy and in particular those needed to consolidate, simplify and nationalise the existing legal
framework, so that it can be better enforced.

(2003/C 155 E/081)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2990/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Measures to reduce fisheries accidents

Paragraph 12 of the EP’s resolution of 5 April 2001 on Fisheries: safety and causes of accidents (1) ‘calls on
the Commission to finance a tender for EU safety equipment manufacturers to design different models of
personal flotation device for fishermen that are capable of being used in the different working conditions
on fishing vessels and with the objective of promoting their use’.

Has the Commission taken any steps in this connection?

Does it not believe that improving safety equipment and making the use of the most appropriate
equipment standard practice would help cut the number of fisheries accidents?

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

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 December 2002)

Although improving safety equipment and making use of the most suitable equipment standard practice
would be undoubtedly be a big help in reducing the risk and the gravity of accidents at sea, the
Commission’s functions do not extend to financing a tender for safety equipment manufacturers to design
various models of personal flotation device for fishermen.

The Commission has however, in its call for proposals for transnational projects of an innovatory nature in
the fish sector for 2002, invited interested parties to propose projects on ongoing professional training in
safety at sea. The proposals are under examination.

(2003/C 155 E/082)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3007/02

by Patricia McKenna (Verts/ALE) to the Council

(23 October 2002)

Subject: West Papuan self-determination

The Council should be aware of the fact that the people of West Papua have since 1963 been at the mercy
of the Indonesian military (cid:1) the same military that so brutalised the people of East Timor.

Has the Council committed itself to supporting the international campaign to call on the Secretary-General
of the UN, Kofi Annan, to review the UN-sponsored ‘Act of Free Choice’ so that West Papuans may have a