European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation establishing a management plan for fisheries exploiting stocks of plaice and sole in the North Sea (COM(2005)0714 - C6-0034/2006 - 2006/0002(CNS))
Date: 2006-09-28
Institutions: Committee on Fisheries, European Parliament
Subjects: North Sea, authorised catch, common fisheries policy, conservation of fish stocks, fishery management, fishing area, fishing regulations, sea fish

15.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 306 E/381

Thursday 28 September 2006

62.
Proposes setting up a working group on European aid effectiveness and monitoring of the European
Consensus on Development, comprising the members of the Committee on Development; calls on the
Commission, the Member States, development NGOs, representatives of civil society and trade union orga-
nisations to take part, and suggests, therefore, that a number of countries should be selected as ‘case studies’
in order to provide Parliament and its Committee on Development with a much better picture of efforts and
results at national level;

63.
Stresses that it is absolutely essential that the Union more systematically conduct policies that are
consistent among themselves and welcomes the fact that this issue of consistency between the various
policies of the European Union has been entered on the Finnish Presidency's agenda, a Presidency in
which it places the highest expectations;

64.
Stresses the importance for aid effectiveness, particularly at local level, of coherence between the
various EU policy areas and of the requisite levels of coordination and complementarity between the EU
and its Member States as regards policies; considers that a lack of coherence is contrary to Article 178 of the
EC Treaty;

65.
Considers that the EU aid effectiveness policy should include a coherence between trade, develop-
ment cooperation and the common agricultural and fisheries policies in order to avoid direct or indirect
adverse effects on the economies of developing countries;

66.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.

P6_TA(2006)0383

The exploitation of North Sea plaice and sole *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation establishing
a management plan for fisheries exploiting stocks of plaice and sole in the North Sea
(COM(2005)0714 — C6-0034/2006 — 2006/0002(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2005)0714) (1),

— having regard to Article 37 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament

(C6-0034/2006),

— having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A6-0265/2006),

1.

2.

3.

Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;

Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

Calls for initiation of the conciliation procedure under the Joint Declaration of 4 March 1975 if the

4.
Council intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal sub-

5.
stantially;

6.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.

(1) Not yet published in OJ.

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TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 1

Recital 6

(6) The objective of the management plan should be to ensure
exploitation of North Sea plaice and sole that provides sustain-
able economic, environmental and social conditions.

(6) The objective of the management plan should be to restore
stocks of North Sea plaice and sole to the precautionary level.

Amendment 21

Recital 6a (new)

(6a) Consequently,
in drawing up the management plan,
account should also be taken of the fact that the high fishing
mortality rate for plaice is due to a great extent to the large
discard from beam-trawl sole fishing with 80 mm nets in the
southern parts of the North Sea.

Amendment 3

Recital 7

the Common Fisheries Policy,

(7) Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 requires inter alia that to
the
achieve the objectives of
Community is to apply the precautionary approach in taking
measures to protect and conserve stocks, to provide for their
sustainable exploitation and to minimise the impact of fishing
on marine ecosystems. The Community aims at a progressive
implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries
management, which contributes to efficient
fishing activities
within an economically viable and competitive fisheries indus-
try. The present Regulation should aim at providing a fair stan-
dard of living for those who depend on fishing plaice and sole
in the North Sea taking into account the interests of consumers.

the Common Fisheries Policy,

(7) Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 requires inter alia that to
the
achieve the objectives of
Community is to apply the precautionary approach in taking
measures to protect and conserve stocks, to provide for their
sustainable exploitation and to minimise the impact of fishing
on marine ecosystems. The Community aims at a progressive
implementation of an ecosystem-based approach to fisheries
management, which contributes to efficient
fishing activities
within an economically viable and competitive fisheries indus-
try. The present Regulation should aim at providing a fair stan-
dard of living for those who depend on fishing plaice and sole
in the North Sea taking into account the interests of consumers.
The Community should base its policy partly on the policy
recommended by the appropriate Regional Advisory Council
(RAC).

Amendment 4

Recital 10a (new)

In 2006 the Commission will initiate a debate con-
(10a)
cerning a Community strategy for a gradual reduction in fish-
ing mortality in all major fisheries by means of a communica-
tion concerning the attainment of the maximum sustainable
yield (MSY) objective by 2015. The Commission will submit
this communication to the RACs for their opinion.

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TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

Thursday 28 September 2006

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 5

Recital 10b (new)

(10b) Any legislative proposal by the Commission should be
preceded by an impact assessment that is based on accurate,
objective and comprehensive biological and financial informa-
tion; that impact assessment should be annexed to the Com-
mission's proposal before 1 January 2007.

Amendment 22

Recital 10c (new)

(10c) This Regulation does not set any limits on the use of
beam trawls in fishing for plaice and sole in the North Sea.
However, there is a need to reduce the potential negative con-
sequences of the use of beam trawls on ecosystems and the
marine environment. Accordingly, immediately after the entry
into force of this Regulation, the Commission should carry out
a study of the impact of beam trawl fishing on ecosystems and
in the areas where this fishing
the marine environment
method is used and of the alternative fishing methods for
beam trawl fishing that are sustainable in economic, ecologi-
cal and social terms. On the basis of that study, an action
plan should be drawn up for the gradual phasing-out of fish-
ing methods and gear which have a negative impact on eco-
systems and the marine environment in favour of lower-
impact fishing methods and gear,

Amendment 7

Article 2

The management plan shall ensure the sustainable exploi-

1.
tation of the stocks of plaice and sole in the North Sea.

1.
The management plan shall ensure that, in so far as the
stocks of plaice and sole in the North Sea are not already at the
precautionary level, they reach that level again.

The objective provided for

2.
in paragraph 1 shall be
attained while maintaining the fishing mortality rate on plaice
in the North Sea at a rate equal to or no lower than 0,3.

That objective shall be attained by gradually reducing the

2.
fishing mortality rate for these stocks.

The objective provided for

3.
in paragraph 1 shall be
attained while maintaining the fishing mortality rate on sole
in the North Sea at a rate equal to or no lower than 0,2.

Amendment 8

Article 3, paragraph 1

1.
Each year, the Council shall decide, by qualified majority
on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, on the Total
Allowable Catches (TACs) for the following year for the stocks
of plaice and sole in the North Sea.

1.
The Council shall decide, by qualified majority on the
basis of a proposal from the Commission, on the Total Allow-
able Catches (TACs) for a period of 3 years for the stocks of
plaice and sole in the North Sea.

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TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 9

Article 3a (new)

Article 3a

Legislative measures and three-yearly decisions on TACs

1. When the ICES assessment shows that the spawning
stock biomass has returned to the precautionary level or a
higher level, the Council, acting on a proposal from the Com-
mission, shall adopt a decision by qualified majority concern-
ing:

(a) a target level for fishing mortality in the long term;

and

(b) a percentage for the reduction of fishing mortality which
must be applied until the level of fishing mortality refer-
red to in point (a) has been attained.

2. On the basis of the target figures and a scientific ex-
post assessment, the Council shall decide a TAC for plaice
and sole stocks for three years at a time.

Amendment 24

Article 4

1.
The Council shall set the TAC for plaice at that level
which, according to a scientific evaluation carried out by
Scientific Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries
(STECF), is the higher of the following:

1.
If the spawning stock biomass of plaice is estimated by
the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries
(STECF), on the basis of the latest ICES report, to be less than
the precautionary level of 230 000 tons, the Council shall set
a TAC for a period of 3 years. This shall be set in such a
manner that, according to the STECF's estimate, there is a
reasonable likelihood that stocks will be restored to the pre-
cautionary level in 3 years.

(a)

that TAC whose application would result in a 10 % reduc-
tion in the fishing mortality rate in its year of application
compared to the fishing mortality rate estimated for the
preceding year;

(b) that TAC whose application would result in a fishing
mortality rate of 0,3 on ages 2 to 4 in its year of applica-
tion.

2.
Where the application of paragraph 1 would result in a
TAC which exceeds the TAC of the preceding year by more
than 15 %, the Council shall set a TAC which is 15 % greater
than the TAC of that year.

2.
If this leads to a reduction of more than 15 % in the
multiannual TAC, the Council shall decide to implement the
reduction in stages, so that the differences between years do
not exceed 15 %.

3. Where the application of paragraph 1 would result in a
TAC which is more than 15 % less than the TAC of the pre-
ceding year, the Council shall set a TAC which is 15 % less
than the TAC of that year.

If this leads to an increase of more than 15 %, a maxi-

3.
mum increase of 15 % shall be decided.

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TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

Thursday 28 September 2006

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 11

Article 5

1.
The Council shall set a TAC for sole at that level which,
according to a scientific evaluation carried out by STECF, is
the higher of the following:

1.
If the spawning stock biomass of sole is estimated by the
STECF, on the basis of the latest ICES report, to be less than
the precautionary level of 35 000 tons, the Council shall set a
TAC for a period of 3 years. This shall be set in such a man-
ner that, according to the STECF's estimate, there is a reason-
able likelihood that stocks will be restored to the precaution-
ary level in 3 years.

(a)

that TAC whose application would result in the same pro-
portionate change in the fishing mortality rate on sole as
is generated by the application of Article 4(1) concerning
plaice;

(b) that TAC whose application would result in a fishing

mortality rate of 0,2 in its year of application;

(c)

that TAC whose application would result in a 10 % reduc-
tion in the fishing mortality rate in its year of application
compared to the fishing mortality rate estimated for the
preceding year.

2.
Where the application of paragraph 1 would result in a
TAC which exceeds the TAC of the preceding year by more
than 15 %, the Council shall set a TAC which is 15 % greater
than the TAC of that year.

2.
If this leads to a reduction of more than 15 % in the
multiannual TAC, the Council shall decide to implement the
reduction in stages, so that the differences between years do
not exceed 15 %.

3. Where the application of paragraph 1 would result in a
TAC which is more than 15 % less than the TAC of the pre-
ceding year, the Council shall set a TAC which is 15 % less
than the TAC of that year.

If this leads to an increase of more than 15 %, a max-

3.
imum increase of 15 % shall be decided.

Amendment 12

Article 6, paragraph 2

2.
Each year, the Council shall decide by a qualified majority,
on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, on the max-
imum number of days at sea available for Community fishing
vessels deploying beam trawl gear of mesh size equal to or
greater than 80 mm and subject to the system of fishing effort
limitation referred to in paragraph 1.

2.
For each year of the three-year period, the Council shall
decide by a qualified majority, on the basis of a proposal from
the Commission, on the maximum number of days at sea (cal-
culated in kilowatt-days) available for Community fishing ves-
sels fishing for plaice or sole or catching them as by-catch and
subject to the system of fishing effort limitation referred to in
paragraph 1.

Amendment 13

Article 6, paragraph 3

3.
The annual adjustment of the maximum number of days
referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be in the same
proportion as the annual adjustment in fishing mortality rate
provided for in accordance with Article 5(1).

3.
The maximum number of days referred to in paragraph 2
shall be related to the reductions in the fishing mortality rate
provided for by the multiannual TACs decided on by the
Council.

C 306 E/386

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TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 14
Article 6, paragraph 4a (new)

4a.
In adopting the management plan, the Council shall
decide that Community fishing vessels which are used for
demersal fishing for flatfish should no longer be subject to
the days-at-sea rules provided for by the recovery plan for cod.

Amendment 15
Article 8, paragraph 1

1.
By way of derogation from Article 5(2) of Regulation
(EEC) No 2807/83, the permitted margin of tolerance, in esti-
mation of quantities in kilograms live weight retained on board
of Community fishing vessels that have been present in the
North Sea shall be 8 % of the figure entered in the logbook. In
the event that no conversion factor is laid down in Community
legislation, the conversion factor adopted by the Member State
whose flag the vessel is flying shall apply.

1.
By way of derogation from Article 5(2) of Regulation
(EEC) No 2807/83, the permitted margin of tolerance, in esti-
mation of quantities in kilograms live weight retained on board
of Community fishing vessels that have been present in the
North Sea shall be 10 % of the figure entered in the logbook.
In the event that no conversion factor is laid down in Commun-
ity legislation, the conversion factor adopted by the Member
State whose flag the vessel is flying shall apply.

Amendments 16 and 17
Article 9

The competent authorities of a Member State shall ensure in
respect of landings made by any Community fishing vessel
that has been present in the North Sea that:

The competent authorities of a Member State shall ensure that
any quantity of plaice exceeding 200 kg and any quantity of
sole exceeding 100 kg which has been caught in the North Sea
is weighed before its first sale in accordance with current
Community rules.

(a) all quantities of plaice and sole landed by any Community
fishing vessel carrying on board any quantity of plaice
exceeding 500 kg or of sole exceeding 300 kg are
weighed;

Weighing shall be undertaken using scales that have been certi-
fied as accurate within a reasonable margin of tolerance in
accordance with Community legislation by the competent
authorities of the Member State.

(b) the weighing of plaice and sole is carried out in the pre-
sence of controllers and before transportation from the
point of landing and before first sale;

(c) weighing is undertaken using scales that have been certified
as accurate within a reasonable margin of tolerance by the
competent authorities of the Member State.

Containers holding plaice or sole shall be stowed sepa-

2.
rately from other containers.

2.

Plaice and sole shall be stowed in separate fish boxes.

Amendment 18
Article 11, paragraph 2

Amendment 23
Article 13a (new)

Article 13a

Action plan for the development and use of low-impact fish-
ing methods and gear

Immediately after the entry into force of this Regulation, the
Commission shall carry out an in-depth study of the impact of
beam trawl fishing on ecosystems and the marine environment

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TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

Thursday 28 September 2006

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

in areas where this fishing method is used and of the alterna-
tive fishing methods for beam trawl fishing that are sustain-
able in economic, ecological and social terms.

Based on the conclusion of this study, the Commission shall
draw up an action plan to promote research into low-impact
fishing methods and gear — including research on the size
and shape of nets ensuring the sustainable exploitation of
fisheries resources — and the development of such research.
At the same time, this action plan shall set guidelines for the
gradual phasing out of fishing methods and gear which have
a negative impact on ecosystems and the marine environment
in favour of lower-impact fishing methods and gear. Initia-
tives under this action plan shall be financed from the Euro-
pean Fisheries Fund in accordance with the objectives of that
Fund.

Amendment 20
Article 15

In the event that the STECF advises that either or both the
spawning stock size of plaice or that of sole is suffering reduced
the Council shall decide by qualified
reproductive capacity,
majority on the basis of a proposal from the Commission on a
TAC for plaice that is lower than that provided for in Article 4,
on a TAC for sole that is lower than that provided for in Arti-
cle 5, and on a number of days at sea that is lower than that
provided for in Article 6.

In the event that the STECF advises that either or both the
spawning stock size of plaice or that of sole is suffering reduced
the Council may decide by qualified
reproductive capacity,
majority on the basis of a proposal from the Commission on a
TAC for plaice that is lower than that provided for in Article 4,
on a TAC for sole that is lower than that provided for in Arti-
cle 5, and on a number of days at sea that is lower than that
provided for in Article 6.

P6_TA(2006)0384

Production and labelling of organic products *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation amending
Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic production of agricultural products and indications
referring thereto in agricultural products and foodstuffs (COM(2005)0671 — C6-0033/2006 —
2005/0279(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2005)0671) (1),

— having regard to Article 37 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament

(C6-0033/2006),

— having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A6-0253/2006),

(1) Not yet published in the OJ.