WRITTEN QUESTION P-3264/03 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Recovery of Greenland halibut stocks: special socio-economic measures for the Community's NAFO fleet.
Date: 2003-10-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: FIFG, North-West Atlantic Fisheries Organisation, conservation of fish stocks, economic consequence, fisheries policy, fishing fleet, sea fish, social impact, structural policy

C 70 E/248

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

20.3.2004

(2004/C 70 E/267)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3264/03

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

(29 October 2003)

Subject: Recovery of Greenland halibut stocks: special socio-economic measures for the Community’s

NAFO fleet

The 25th Annual Meeting of NAFO was held in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, from 15 to 19 September, with
the main aim of setting guidelines for the management of the NAFO Regulatory Area during 2004. At the
meeting, a four-year plan was drawn up for the recovery of Greenland halibut stocks, under which the
TAC would be 20 000, 19 000, 18 500 and 16 000 tonnes for 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 respectively (cid:1)
a drop, therefore, from 42 000 in 2003 to the aforementioned figure of 16 000 tonnes in 2007. This
drastic reduction in the TAC is based on a scientific report produced using a new method, without taking
into account the technical, social and economic factors affecting this fishery. At the same time, a recovery
plan for the Greenland halibut fishery in the NAFO Regulatory Area was approved, and its measures will
have to be borne in mind by the various Contracting Parties, one of which is the EU.

These measures affect a highly modern and technologically advanced fleet and jeopardise the direct and
indirect employment of around 4 000 people.

In the light of such a drastic approach and the failure to take socio-economic factors into account, and
bearing in mind the other restructuring measures already carried out by the EU, can the Commission
answer the following questions:

1. Does the Commission intend to draw up a parallel plan of accompanying socio-economic measures
for the period 2004-2007, there being special and additional funding available on top of the current
FIFG to allow the Community fleet in question to reorganise its activities?

2.

If so, what would be the details regarding the timetable and conditions of the plan and the sum and
source of the additional special funding? Would it be possible to make use of funds earmarked for the
scrapping of fishing vessels for 2003 that remain unused in order to fund the socio-economic
measures necessary?

3. What are the Commission’s plans in terms of relocating the fleet to other fishing grounds, and is it
considering the possibility of a temporary cessation or supporting temporary joint ventures and joint
enterprises beyond 2004?

4.

If not, how does the Commission justify accepting a change of this kind without putting in place any
measures to alleviate the economic and social effects?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(27 November 2003)

The Commission is very conscious of the impact on the Community fleet of the decisions taken at the
2003 NAFO Annual Meeting on the re-building of the Greenland halibut stocks,
in the light of the
unanimous scientific advice showing a dramatic decline in the status of those stocks. The measures
adopted by NAFO are designed to prevent a collapse of the stocks, and therefore to ensure fishing
possibilities on these stocks in a sustainable manner. They are therefore consistent with the long term
socio-economic interests of our fleet.

Immediately following the NAFO decision, a Task Force was established within Directorate General
Fisheries to look at all the implications for the Community fleet. In this context, the Commission is
working closely with the competent authorities of the two Member States most affected, Spain and
Portugal, in order to assess the exact impact of this re-building plan for the vessels concerned. In this
regard, the Commission is awaiting the submission of precise fishing plans for the fleets concerned for
2004 and following years.

20.3.2004

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Official Journal of the European Union

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Pending examination of these plans and consultations with the Member States concerned it is premature to
indicate the precise structural measures that may be required. However, such measures may be carried out
within the current financial framework for the financial instrument for fisheries guidance (IFOP).

The Commission is studying various options permitting the Community NAFO fleet to re-organise its
activities, including alternative fishing opportunities. The possibilities needed in this regard will, however,
depend on the content of the fishing plans.

(2004/C 70 E/268)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3269/03

by Christopher Huhne (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 November 2003)

Subject: Repeal of legislation

How many pieces of legislation (directives, regulations, decisions) have been repealed in each year for the
last five years?

Answer given by Mr Prodi on behalf of the Commission

(20 November 2003)

The number of legislative instruments which are repealed or expire each year are listed in the General
Report on the Activities of the European Union:

(cid:1) 2002 General Report, Point 1095, (http://europa.eu.int/abc/doc/off/rg/en/2002/pt1095.htm);

(cid:1) 2001 General Report, Point 1212, (http://europa.eu.int/abc/doc/off/rg/en/2001/pt1212.htm);

(cid:1) 2000 General Report, Point 1154, (http://europa.eu.int/abc/doc/off/rg/en/2000/pt1154.htm);

(cid:1) 1999 General Report, Point 1036, (http://europa.eu.int/abc/doc/off/rg/en/1999/pt1036.htm);

(cid:1) 1998 General Report, Point 1090, (http://europa.eu.int/abc/doc/off/rg/en/1998/pt0028.htm);

The data are extracted mid-January from the interinstitutional automated documentation system for
Community law, CELEX, and do not include instruments not published in the Official Journal of the
European Union or published in light type (routine management instruments valid for a limited period).

The data are summarised in the table which has been sent direct to the Honourable Member and
Parliament’s Secretariat.

(2004/C 70 E/269)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3271/03

by Marianne Thyssen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(5 November 2003)

Subject: The carcinogenic substance bisphenol A in babies’ plastic feeding bottles

On 26 September 2003 an international conference was held in Antwerp, Belgium, on the subject of
fertility. The American scientist and hormone specialist Frederick vom Saal reported, inter alia, on the
results of his research into the health effects of bisphenol A, a chemical which is used, among other things,
in the manufacture of plastic babies’ bottles.