WRITTEN QUESTION E-2999/02 by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission. Measures to reduce fisheries accidents.
Date: 2002-10-23
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: authorised catch, common fisheries policy, fishery management, fishing industry, fishing regulations, fishing vessel, modernisation aid, occupational accident, occupational safety, technical rule

C 137 E/144

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

12.6.2003

(2003/C 137 E/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2995/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Measures to reduce fisheries accidents

Paragraph 26 of the EP’s resolution of 5 April 2001 on Fisheries: safety and causes of accidents (1) ‘calls on
the Commission and the Member States to promote a safety culture among shipowners, salaried and
independent fishermen and public administration in the world of fisheries in each phase of their activities,
including prevention, which should be reflected in vocational and continuing training and incorporate the
most modern technology in localisation and life-saving equipment. Such training must
include the
improvement and maximisation of safety’.

Paragraph 28 ‘Asks that this safety culture should be required, in particular, as part of vocational training
for young seafarers preparing to undertake fishing activities’.

What measures has the Commission since adopted to promote this safety culture in the fishing industry?

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

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 2002)

The Commission has adopted the Communication entitled ‘Adapting to change in work and society: a new
Community strategy on health and safety at work 2002-2006’ (1) which rests on the consolidation of a
culture of risk prevention, the combination of different policy instruments (cid:1) legislation, social dialogue,
innovative approaches and identification of best practice, corporate social responsibility and financial
incentives (cid:1) and the establishment of partnerships involving all health and safety actors.

In particular, acknowledging that the promotion of well-being at work cannot be realised through health
and safety policy alone, the Communication provides for the development of an approach based on
coordination with other policies aimed at prevention-based protection, in particular policies on transport,
the environment and civil protection and the common fisheries policy. As far as the common fisheries
invite the social partners to identify measures aimed at
policy is concerned,
improving living, working and safety conditions in the fisheries sector, to strengthen the role of women
within the sector and to contribute to job creation, notably among young people, in the regions which
depend on this sector.

the Commission will

(1) COM(2002) 118 final.

(2003/C 137 E/164)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2999/02

by Rosa Miguélez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Measures to reduce fisheries accidents

The Commission’s CFP reform proposal’s elimination of fleet renewal subsidies, given the high average age
of the vessels, is a time bomb since the fleet will, as it ages, become less efficient, less profitable and less
safe.

12.6.2003

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Official Journal of the European Union

C 137 E/145

The proposal contradicts itself, allowing subsidies for modernising the fleet if these are limited to on-board
safety, but not for improvements to hulls or the interior of the vessels. Why? Is the Commission not aware
that improving hulls and vessel interiors plays an important role in reducing the risk of accidents?

Does the Commission not believe that its CFP reform proposal, which eliminates existing structural aid for
fleet renewal in general, runs counter to the EP’s position as stated in paragraph 4 and 6 of its resolution of
5 April 2001 on ‘Fisheries: safety and causes of accidents’ (1)?

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

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2002)

The Commission is concerned about safety, working and living conditions. This is why in the framework
of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform the Commission has proposed to keep the financial aid for
measures on these aspects, provided they do not concern tonnage or power. Under those conditions, any
part of a vessel could be modified, with public aid support.

For modernisation of existing vessels, the Commission is ready to consider the possibility of agreeing upon
some increase in tonnage for safety-related modernisation. However,
to strict
conditions. Neither modifications affecting the hull nor increasing the volume under the main deck would
be eligible for funding, as these directly contribute to an increase in fishing capacity. However, such
modifications should not lead to an increase in power.

this will be subject

Regarding points 4 and 6 of the Parliamentary Resolution, the Commission recognises the need for a
renewal of the fleet, but thinks that this objective has to be compatible with that of reducing excess
capacity and adjusting the size of the fleet to the available resources. This is why, in the framework of the
CFP reform the Commission has proposed to maintain the financial support for the scrapping. The
Commission believes these measures will have a positive impact on the average age of the fleet, as older
and less efficient vessels would be scrapped first.

(2003/C 137 E/165)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3002/02

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

(17 October 2002)

Subject: Legal safeguards for the victim, mobility of citizens, and rape victims in the EU

A Finnish national has written from Greece about her experience when she toured the country in 1999.
The rape victim concerned had managed to memorise the registration number of her attacker’s car and
passed on the information to the police on the night of the attack. An examination by a Greek doctor
confirmed that she had been raped. On the following day she again recounted the events before a
magistrate, and the examination minutes were drawn up in Greek with the assistance of an interpreter. She
did not receive copies of the indictment or the examination minutes. In February of this year she was
summoned to appear in court, but the person accused in the trial was the victim herself (cid:1) on the grounds
of perjury. The rapist had been acquitted of the rape charge in October 2000, but the victim was not
informed and consequently had no possibility of appeal at that time. In April the victim was found guilty
of perjury and sentenced to a 20-month unconditional prison term. The case described is an isolated
example but presumably reflects the prevailing practice.