Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the implementation of the Action Plan for simplifying and improving the Common Fisheries Policy
Date: 2009-06-09
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: approximation of laws, common fisheries policy, consolidation of EU law, fishery management, fishing regulations, simplification of legislation

EN 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 9.6.2009 
COM(2009) 261 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

on the implementation of the Action Plan for simplifying and improving the Common 
Fisheries Policy 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
 
  
 
 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

on the implementation of the Action Plan for simplifying and improving the Common 
Fisheries Policy 

1. 

THE CONTEXT 

The Commission adopted in December 2005, the 2006-2008 Action Plan for simplifying and 
improving  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy  (COM(2005)647)1.  This  Plan  was  conceived  as  a 
contribution  to  the  initiative  of  the  Commission  aimed  at  simplifying  the  regulatory 
environment to the benefit of citizens, businesses and administrations.  

The Plan was examined and supported by the European Parliament, the European Economic 
and  Social  Committee,  the  Advisory  Committee  on  Fisheries  and  Aquaculture  and  the 
Fisheries Council. 

The  actions  listed  in  the  Plan  were  regularly  supplemented  by  those  inserted  in  the  annual 
Commission's Simplification Rolling Programme (SRP), some of which related to fisheries. 

Member States have been informed through bi-annual progress-reports2 of actions taken in the 
fisheries  sector  under  the  better  regulation  agenda3.  The  initiative  was  composed  of  actions 
aimed  at  achieving  clearer  legal  texts,  the  reduction  of  administrative  costs,  enhancing  the 
quality of the new initiatives and the streamlining of data transfer. 

It is now time to take stock of what has been achieved to date, with a view to considering new 
initiatives  and  addressing  possible  shortcomings.  It  would  also  be  the  ideal  occasion  to 
consider  what  has  been  done  at  national  level  on  simplification,  since  better  regulation  is  a 
common  goal  of  the  Community  and  Member  States.  However,  since  the  Commission 
services have received limited feedback from the Member States, it is currently not possible to 
report on their results4. 

2. 

THE CONTENT OF THE ACTION PLAN 

In accordance with the objectives set out in the Action Plan, the following domains shall be 
examined in this survey: 

•  the  screening  of  the  body  of  the  Community  law  relating  to  fisheries  (the  acquis 

communautaire); 

1 

2 
3 
4 

See  also  Commission's  Communication  on  Perspectives  for  simplifying  and  improving  the  regulatory 
environment  of  the  Common  Fisheries  policy  (COM(2004)820)  and  Commission  Staff  Working 
document  on  An  analysis  of  the  possibilities  of  simplification  and  improvement  of  the  regulatory 
environment of the CFP and of its implementation (SEC(2004)1596). 
http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/simplification/action_plan_en.htm. 
EC, Better regulation – simply explained, 2006. 
Notes have been transmitted by Czech and Slovak Republics. 

EN 

2 

   EN 

 
 
 
                                                 
•  the main legislative initiatives adopted to date; 

•  the  reduction  of  administrative  burdens  imposed  on  fishermen  by  the  Common  Fisheries 

Policy (CFP) rules. 

2.1. 

The acquis communautaire  

The  Commission  launched  the  screening  of  the  body  of  the  Community  law  in  order  to 
ascertain whether  a  number of legal  acts should be removed or codified in order to achieve 
clearer  legislation  while  reducing,  at  the  same  time,  the  number  of  pages  of  legislation  in 
force5. 

The  Directory  of  Community  legislation  in  force  gathers  acts  relating  to  fisheries  under  the 
Chapter 04. The number of acts has consistently increased, and as of 1st March 2009, 795 acts 
were listed in the Directory.  

Such  scale  of  legal  acts  in  force  in  a  sector  like  fisheries,  which  has  a  limited  economic 
weight  and  a  restricted  number  of  operators,  requires  explanation.  There  are  three  main 
reasons which contribute to this figure. 

First, there is the problem of the need for more precise classification under existing headings 
of  some  acts  which  are  currently  listed  under  different  sections  of  the  Chapter  04,  thereby 
increasing the total number of acts.  

Secondly,  extensive  legislation  currently  produced  by  Regional  Fisheries  Organisations 
(RFO)  entails  the  transposition  of  their  recommendations  into  Community  law  through  a 
significant  number  of  specific  legal  acts.  It  is  expected  that  this  need  for  transposing  into 
Community law will decrease once most of the RFO's forthcoming rules are already in force 
within the EU. 

Thirdly, some acts are obsolete, i.e. without having any legal effect though  formally  still in 
force, and shall  be  removed from the  active  part of the acquis. Examination carried out has 
identified  some  60  acts  as  obsolete  The  repeal  of  these  acts  has  been  proposed  through  the 
adoption of legal acts having the same form of the act to be repealed6. 

Finally, the number of acts will be decreased because some acts have been codified7 or will be 
codified8, especially after the adoption of the new fisheries control system which will amend 
no less than 11 Regulations. 

5 
6 

7 

COM(2003)71 and COM(2006)689. 
Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  148/2009  repealing  11  obsolete  Regulations  in  the  field  of  the 
Common Fisheries Policy, Commission Decision 2009/309/EC repealing 13 obsolete Decisions in the 
field of the Common Fisheries Policy, COM(2009) 88 and 89. Where a legal basis no longer exists, acts 
have been removed through a declaration of formal recognition of obsolescence (2009/C 43/02). 
Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  696/2008  laying  down  detailed  rules  for  the  application  of  Council 
Regulation  (EC)  No  104/2000  as  regards  the  extension  to  non-members  of  certain  rules  adopted  by 
producer  organisations  in  the  fisheries  sector;  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  248/2009  laying 
detailed  rules  for  the  application  of  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  104/2000  as  regards  notifications 
concerning recognition of producer organisations, the fixing of prices and intervention within the scope 
of the common organisation of the market in fishery and aquaculture products. 

EN 

3 

   EN 

 
                                                 
The  outcome  of  these  actions  will  also  make  easier  for  the  user,  the  access  to  legislation 
relating to fisheries. This goal was in mind when it had been envisaged to incorporate relevant 
legislation in force in a given sea area into the European Atlas of the Seas9, a project aimed at 
mapping  out  the  spatial  extent  of  European  marine  policies.  With  such  a  tool,  stakeholders 
can  quickly  understand  the  overlapping  legal  constraints  when  operating  in  the  various  sea 
areas of the EU. 

2.2.  Main legislative initiatives 

The  main  legislative  initiatives  inserted  in  the  Action  Plan  and  in  the  Commission's  SRP 
concern the following areas: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

rational exploitation of fisheries resources; 

collection of data relating to fishing activities; 

monitoring of fishing activities; 

(d) 

granting of public aid. 

(a) 

With regard to the measures aimed at simplifying legal texts relating to conservation 
goals,  changes  have  been  introduced  in  several  regulations  governing  the  annual 
setting of TAC and quotas in order to make those texts clearer, especially by resisting 
the practice of making them catch-all acts. 

The  most  noteworthy  initiative  however,  was  the  introduction  of  a  new  working 
method  for  preparing  annual  Council  Decisions  on  fishing  opportunities,  through 
enhanced  consultation  with  stakeholders  and  better  coordination  with  scientific 
advisers.  Well  in  advance  of  the  yearly  legal  proposals,  the  Commission  now 
presents a Communication containing a Policy Statement on the fishing opportunities 
for  the  following  year10.  This  working  method  has  proven  to  be  effective  in 
improving  outcomes,  especially  through  the  consultation  of  stakeholders  on  the 
preparation of texts which are of great importance to the industry.  

Another significant initiative is the Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the 
conservation of fisheries resources through technical measures11. This text which has 
benefited  from  a  broad  consultation  intends to achieve  several simplification goals. 
First, it will replace existing legislation which has become difficult to read as it has 
been  repeatedly  amended;  secondly  it  will  introduce  simpler  and  harmonised 
measures tailored to regional dimensions; thirdly it will set clear distinction between 
guiding  principles  which  shall  be  the  competence  of  the  Council;  fourthly  it  will 
assign  the  adoption  of  purely  technical  rules  for  each  of  the  four  regions  to  the 
Commission  and,  fifthly  it  will  give  management  powers  to  Member  States  under 
precise  circumstances.  Unfortunately,  reservations  have  so  far  slowed  down  the 
adoption of this much-awaited text. 

8 

9 
10 
11 

In the 2009 codification programme is included Commission Regulation (EC) 1438/2003 laying down 
implementing rules on the Community fleet policy as defined in chapter III of Council Regulation (EC) 
No 2371/2002. 
SEC(2007)1278, p.8.2. 
(COM(2006)499), COM(2007)295 and COM(2008 )331. 
COM(2008) 324. 

EN 

4 

   EN 

 
                                                                                                                                                         
(b) 

(c ) 

The  CFP  shall  be  based  on  the  best  scientific,  technical  and  economic  analyses. 
Therefore  the  collection  of  data  relating  to  fishing  activities  is  of  paramount 
importance. The existing Community framework needed to be reviewed, in particular 
with a view to improving quality and promoting cooperation among Member States. 
Moreover  experience  proved  that  it  was  essential  to  streamline  the  collection  of 
relevant data and avoid duplication. The system should also be consistent and cost-
effective.  Having  all  these  goals  in  mind,  a  new  Community  framework  was 
adopted12.  In  the  same  vein,  the  implementing  rules  were  designed  in  a  way  that 
allows  for  the  reduction  of  bureaucratic  workload  while  encouraging  the  extended 
use of electronic means13.  

Monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activities are an essential component 
of  the  CFP.  They  were  conceived  at  the  very  outset  of  this  policy  and  have  since 
continued  to  develop.  It  is  not  surprising  therefore  that  this  legislation  is  very 
complex  and  costly.  The  control  system  is  complex  as,  over  the  years,  layers  of 
provisions  have  been  adding  up,  generally  scattered  across  different  regulations, 
often  stemming  from  international  law.  Rules  are  sometimes  overlapping  when  not 
conflicting. The existing system is also costly and burdensome for the administration 
and the industry since it imposes many administrative requirements. 

A  thorough  revision  of  the  control  regime  is  at  the  centre  of  the  simplification 
exercise for the CFP. This goal was in mind when proposing measures as regards: 

•  recasting of existing provisions relating to the control regime; 

•  organising the fight against illegal fishing; 

•  promoting the use of modern technologies; 

•  managing fishing authorisations. 

The expected outcome shall be a single piece of legislation containing general rules 
governing  all  aspects  of  control14  and  a  general  system  designed  to  curb  illegal 
fishing irrespective of where such activity is carried out, and while benefitting from 
the  world's  most  advanced  control  standards  and  techniques15.  The  new  legislation 
also  constitutes  a  bold  move  towards  a  paperless  environment  for  recording  and 
reporting  data  relating  to  fishing  activities16  and  a  uniform,  simplified  and  user-

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 concerning the establishment of a Community framework for the 
collection,  management  and  use  of  data  in  the  fisheries  sector  and  support  for  scientific  advice 
regarding the Common Fisheries policy. 
Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  665/2008  laying  down  detailed  rules  for  the  application  of  Council 
Regulation (EC) No 199/2008. 
COM(2008)721.  This  initiative  is  quoted  in  the  Third  progress  report  on  the  strategy  for  simplifying  the 
regulatory environment (COM(2009)17, p.8). 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1005/2008  establishing  a  Community  system  to  prevent,  deter  and 
eliminate  illegal,  unreported and unregulated  fishing,  amending  Regulations (EEC)  No 2847/93,  (EC) 
No 1936/2001  and  (EC)  No 601/2004  and  repealing  Regulations  (EC)  No 1093/94  and  (EC) 
No 1447/1999. 
Council Regulation (EC) No 1966/2006 on electronic recording and reporting of fishing activities and 
on the means of remote sensing.  

EN 

5 

   EN 

 
                                                 
friendly  system  for  obtaining  authorisation  to  fishing  activities  outside  Community 
waters17. 

Thanks  to  these  initiatives,  legislation  has  become  clearer  and  consistent,  and 
furthermore its implementation less costly, as detailed under the Chapter 4.  

Amongst the initiatives aimed at the improvement and simplification of control rules, 
should  be  mentioned  the  Draft  Commission  Regulation  laying  down  detailed  rules 
for  the  use  of  Community  harmonised  fish  Conversion  Factors  (CF)  in  European 
Union  flagged  vessels  and  amending  Commission  Regulation  (EEC)  No  2807/83.

CF are used for quota management to convert the processed weight of fish products 
into the live weight of the species and are mainly used to assure the accuracy of data 
recorded in logbooks. The existence of different CF between Member States creates 
difficulties  and  a  degree  of  inequality  in  terms  of  control  and  enforcement.  Thus 
there  is  a  need  to  simplify  and  harmonize  CF  in  the  European  Union.  To  this  end, 
this Regulation defines Community CF and presentation codes to be used by national 
administrations when calculating their quota uptake, as well as by masters of fishing 
vessels to estimate the live weight of the catches onboard fishing vessels and upon 
landing. 

Under  certain  conditions,  businesses  may  benefit  from  public  aid  originating  from 
national  or  Community  budget.  In  order  to  make  legislation  clearer,  namely  by 
reducing the number of legal acts, the new legislation on the financial instrument for 
fisheries is made up by a sole regulation18 and its implementing rules19. Furthermore, 
to make the granting of aid less onerous, financial contribution from Member States 
to  operations  co-financed  by  the  European  Fisheries  Fund  and  being  part  of  an 
operational  programme,  shall  not  undergo  scrutiny  with  regards  compliance  to 
Community  rules  on  state  aids.  This  exemption  has  recently  been  extended  to  aid 
granted  by  Member  States  in  the  context  of  the  specific  action  in  support  of 
enterprises affected by the economic crisis induced by the high level of oil prices in 
200820. 

As  regards  financial  support  to  businesses  active  in  the  fisheries  and  aquaculture 
sectors, charged against the national budget, two initiatives resulting in simplification 
of  procedures  shall  be  mentioned  here.  In  accordance  with  the  de  minimis  aid 
regulation, the grant of an amount raised at a maximum of 30.000€ per business, over 

(d) 

17 

18 
19 

20 

Council Regulation No (EC) 1006/2008 concerning authorisations for fishing activities of Community 
fishing vessels outside Community waters and the access of third country vessels to Community waters, 
amending  Regulations  (EEC)  No  2847/90  and  (EC)  No  1627/94  and  repealing  Regulation  (EC)  No 
3317/94. 
Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 on the European Fisheries Fund. 
Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  498/2007  laying  down  detailed  rules  for  the  implementation  of 
Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1198/2006  on  the  European  Fisheries  Fund.  With  a  view  to  helping 
Member  States  in  elaborating  programmes  and  evaluations,  the  Commission  has  adopted  a  Vade 
mecum (C(2007) 3812) and two notes (C(2007)2575 and 2578). 
Art.4 Council Regulation (EC) No 744/2008 instituting a temporary specific action aiming to promote 
the restructuring of the European Community fishing fleet affected by the economic crisis. 

EN 

6 

   EN 

 
 
 
                                                 
a three year period, shall not be notified to the Commission21. Moreover, by virtue of 
another  regulation22,  certain  types  of  aid  to  businesses  operating  in  the  production, 
processing  and  marketing  of  fisheries  products  are  exempted,  under  specific 
conditions, from the requirement of prior notification to the Commission, since they 
are deemed to be compatible with the Community law. This act concerns small and 
medium-sized  businesses,  thus  almost  all  EU  undertakings,  and  considerably 
alleviates administrative burden.  

3. 

DATA MANAGEMENT  

In order to be able to devise adequate measures aimed at achieving sustainable exploitation of 
biological  marine  resources  and  to  monitor  correct  and  uniform  implementation  of  those 
measures,  Commission  services  shall  gather  and  analyse  a  significant  set  of  data,  mostly 
received  from  Member  States  and  delivered  throughout  the  year.  Though  technological 
progress has dramatically improved the quality of, and the timeliness of the collection of data, 
the  handling  of  huge  amounts  of  sets  of  data  requires  sustained  enhancement  of  data 
management systems. 

It  was  for  this  reason  that,  since  the  nineties,  the  Commission  has  been  a  forerunner  in  the 
introduction  of  modern  technologies  in  the  fisheries  sector,  and  has  promoted  their  use, 
constant  expansion  and  upgrading  at  national  level,  starting  with  the  Vessel  Monitoring 
Systems, a powerful tool which allows remote control of vessels activities. 

The  Simplification  Action  Plan  put  particular  emphasis  on  an  extended  use  of  Information 
Technology, with a view to promoting a paperless environment, namely on the recording and 
transmission of data relating to fishing activities as well on the management of authorisations 
for EU and non-EU vessels to fish23. Specific and detailed communication means have been 
elaborated,  such  the  Electronic  Reporting  System  (ERS)  and  the  Fishing  Authorisation 
Permits  (FAP).  These  IT  tools  will  complement  those  designed  to  manage  the  handling  of 
data relating to fleet, fishing vessel activities and marketing of fish products. Networks may 
be  further  developed  by  creating  links  with  EDMONET,  the  European  Marine  Observation 
and Data Network, foreseen in the Communication on An integrated Maritime Policy for the 
European Union24 . 

4. 

REDUCTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS 

The  collection  and  transmission  of  data  is  based  upon  provisions  laid  down  in  Community 
law.  The  number  of  these  reporting  obligations  (RO25)  has  constantly  increased  over  the 

21 

22 

23 

24 
25 

Commission Regulation (EC) No 875/2007 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to 
de minimis aid in the fisheries sector and amending Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004. 
Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  736/2008  on  the  application  of  Articles  87  and  88  of  the  Treaty  to 
small  and  medium-sized  enterprises  active  in  production,  processing  and  marketing  of  fisheries 
products. 
Substantial  financial  contribution  from  the  Community  helped  Member  States  to  install  devices, 
develop and upgrade their technical structures (the current framework is set out in Council Regulation 
No  861/2006  establishing  Community  financial  measures  for  the  implementation  of  the  Common 
Fisheries Policy and in the area of the Law of the Sea). 
COM(2007)575, p.3.2.3. 
These are also known as Information Obligations (IO). 

EN 

7 

   EN 

 
                                                 
years. RO are a source of cost for administrations and enterprises and they shall be removed 
when  unnecessary.  To  this  end,  an  examination  of  RO  stemming  from  CFP  law  has  been 
launched  by  the  Commission  service  since  the  adoption  of  the  Action  Plan  with  the  aim  of 
repealing  RO  which  are  obsolete,  redundant  or  of  limited  value.  When  the  examination  is 
completed, those RO which are needed for policy or control purposes will be introduced into 
a  dedicated  database  open  to  Member  States  (OBONT:  OBligation  On  the  NeT).  This  tool 
will  allow  each  administration  to  be  kept  informed  of  what  data  it  shall  transmit  to  the 
Commission, the format, and on what date. 

The European Council, in March 2007, underlined the importance of reducing administrative 
burdens  as  a  measure  for  boosting  Europe's  economy.  It  fixed  the  target  of  reducing  such 
burdens arising from EU legislation by 25% by 201226.  

The CFP shall contribute to this objective and is inserted amongst 13 priority areas selected 
by the Commission to undergo a measurement of administrative costs. The fisheries control 
system27 – which is by far and logically the most important sector in terms of number of RO – 
has been chosen for the mapping and the measurement of costs arising from RO, using the EU 
Standard  Cost  Model  (SCM28).  This  model  is  essentially  based  on  the  amount  of  time  and 
money spent by businesses when complying with legal obligations to provide information to 
public authorities or third parties (reporting, inspection, statistics, etc). 

Based  on  estimations  provided  by  an  external  consultant,  RO  requested  by  the  current 
fisheries  control  system  resulted  in  a  cost  for  business  of  some  80  M€,  most  of  which  as  a 
consequence of filling and handling of logbooks, landing declarations and sale notes29.  

The  new  control  system,  which  will  be  based  on  an  extended  use  of  information  and 
communication  technologies  and  efficient  use  of  databases,  will  lead  to  a  reduction  of 
administrative burdens for the fishing industry of up to 30 % of the current costs. 

Beyond the initiatives listed in the Action Programme on reducing administrative burdens in 
the EU30, cost reductions in the fisheries sector have been achieved through other measures. 
An example of a tailor-made measure in the health domain is the exemption for vessels of less 
than 12 metres fishing for periods of less than 24 hours, from the record-keeping requirement 
and the related inspection obligation under the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control 
Point) scheme. The resulting savings are estimated to be around 14 M€ 31. 

In the near future, a computerised management of requests and issues of fishing authorisations 
for vessels will also result in a significant reduction of costs for businesses. Furthermore, one 
of the goals of the forthcoming reform of the CFP, will be to curb the need for handling data 
at the Commission's level32.  

26 

27 

28 
29 
30 
31 

32 

Member States have also fixed their own targets of reduction of administrative burdens (COM(2009)17, 
annexe 10). 
Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  2847/1993  establishing  a  control  system  applicable  to  the  Common 
Fisheries Policy. 
SEC(2005) 791, updated in 2006. 
22 Member States are concerned by this measurement. 
COM(2007)23. 
Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  1243/2007,  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  1243/2007  of  24 
October 2007 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and the 
Council laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin. 
Green Paper - Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (COM(2009)163) 

EN 

8 

   EN 

 
                                                 
5. 

IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

Impact Assessment (IA) is a process aimed at structuring and supporting the development of 
policies.  Its  aims  are  to  improve  the  quality  of  Commission  proposals  and  to  simplify  the 
regulatory  environment.  It  should  lead  to  proposals  which  are  proportionate  to  the  scope. 
Thus, they should take into account their likely impacts in the economic, environmental and 
social fields. IA may lead to a decision to abandon an action. 

16 initiatives related to fisheries have undergone an IA, 13 of which have been submitted to 
the scrutiny of the Impact Assessment Board, an advisory body created by the Commission in 
2006  to  ensure  more  consistent  and  high  quality  of  Impact  Assessments.  Its  opinions  on 
proposals relating to fisheries are published33. 

The  Directorate  General  for  Maritime  Affairs  and  Fisheries  adapted  its  administrative 
structure in order to fully comply with the IA requirements. Officials received special training 
and are kept abreast of developments, in order to ensure the best possible assessment of each 
important initiative. 

6. 

CONSULTATION OF STAKEHOLDERS 

The Commission is committed to encouraging more involvement of interested parties through 
a more transparent consultation process, which will enhance the Commission’s accountability. 
To this end, it regularly consults the stakeholders of the sector, mainly through the Advisory 
Committee  for  Fisheries  and  Aquaculture  (ACFA)34  and  the  Regional  Advisory  Councils 
(RACs)35, which are now 7 in number. 

As  regards  ACFA,  the  Commission  organised  49  meetings  of  the  Working  Groups  and  12 
plenary  meetings.  ACFA  issued  21  advices  to  the  Commission  and  18  Resolutions  and 
Position  Papers.  ACFA  also  gave  oral  advice  to  16  consultations  carried  out  by  the 
Commission  during  this  period.  The  main  lines  of  the  new  reform  of  the  CFP  will  be 
discussed by an ad-hoc group. 

During the same period, the Commission organised some 60 meetings of RACs, addressed on 
average 10 consultation papers every year to them and received some 250 recommendations.  

In addition to targeted consultations, the Commission also widely consulted stakeholders by 
posting questionnaires on the Commission's web-site on issues such as for example, Maritime 
Policy,  the  fight  against  IUU  fishing,  sharks,  fisheries  control  and  enforcement  and  most 
recently, the Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. 

7. 

PLAN OF ACTION 

Although  commitments  listed  in  the  Action  Plan  have  been  met,  efforts  to  simplify  the 
regulatory environment concerning fishing and related activities will be continued, since the 
tasks set by the better regulation agenda are of a permanent nature. 

33 
34 
35 

http://ec.europa.eu/governance/impact/practice_en.htm. 
Commission Decision 1999/478/EC renewing the Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture. 
Council Decision 2004/585/EC establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries 
Policy. 

EN 

9 

   EN 

 
                                                 
Specific  initiatives  on  the  simplification  of  the  CFP  will  be  inserted  in  the  Programme  the 
Commission  presents  annually.  For  instance,  in  the  2009  programme  is  mentioned  the 
revision of rules governing market organisation with a view, in particular, to improving legal 
clarity and reducing administrative burden through extended use of electronic reporting. 

Cutting pointless reporting obligations will also remain a main objective as well as regrouping 
legal provisions in fewer acts, while improving their clarity and accessibility. 

Simplification goals will be kept in mind when drawing up the reformed Common Fisheries 
Policy, while the impact of procedural rules that the Lisbon Treaty will have on the legislative 
process, will also be taken into due consideration. 

The Commission encourages Member States to commit themselves to a simplified regulatory 
environment, by cancelling needless requirements established by domestic legislation and by 
promoting the resort to ICT. 

EN 

10 

   EN 

 
ANNEX  

List of acts related to the "Simplification Action Plan" 

Proposals 

–  Proposal for a Council Regulation authorising the Commission to approve modification to 
protocols of fisheries partnership agreements concluded between the European Community 
and third countries (COM(2007)595, 15.10.2007); 

–  Proposal  for  a  Council  Regulation  concerning  the  conservation  of  fisheries  resources 

through technical measures (COM(2008)324, 04.06.2008); 

–  Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a Community control system for ensuring 
compliance  with  the  rules  of  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy  control  (COM/2008/721, 
14.11.2008); 

–  Draft  Commission  Regulation  laying  down  detailed  rules  for  the  use  of  Community 
harmonised  fish  conversion  factors  in  European  Union  flagged  vessels  and  amending 
Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2807/83. 

Communications 

–  Communication  from  the  Commission  improving  consultation  on  community  fisheries 

management (COM(2006)246, 24.05.2006); 

–  Commission's  Policy  Statement  on  fishing  opportunities  for  2007  (COM(2006)499, 

15.09.2006); 

–  Commission's  Policy  statement  on  fishing  opportunities  for  2008  (COM(2007)295, 

06.06.2007); 

–  Commission's  Policy  statement  on  fishing  opportunities  for  2009  (COM(2008)331, 

30.05.2008);  

–  Communication from the Commission on improving fishing capacity and effort indicators 

under the Common Fisheries Policy (COM(2007)39), 05.02.2007); 

–  Communication  from  the  Commission  establishing  formal  recognition  that  a  certain 
number  of  Acts  of  Community  law  in  the  field  of  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy  have 
become obsolete (OJ C 43, 21.02.2009, p.2). 

Council acts 

–  Council Decision 2009/xx/EC repealing Directive 83/515/EEC and 11 obsolete Decisions 

in the field of the Common Fisheries Policies…..; 

–  Council  Decision  2007/409/EC  amending  Decision  2004/585/EC  establishing  Regional 

Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 155, 15.06.2007, p.68); 

–  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1198/2006  on  the  European  Fisheries  Fund  (OJ  L  223, 

15.08.2006, p.1); 

EN 

11 

   EN 

 
–  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No 1941/2006  of  11  December  2006  fixing  the  fishing 
opportunities  and  associated  conditions  for  certain  fish  stocks  and  groups  of  fish  stocks 
applicable in the Baltic Sea for 2007 ( OJ L 367, 22.12.2006, p. 1); 

–  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  1966/2006  on  electronic  recording  and  reporting  of  fishing 

activities and on means of remote sensing (OJ L 409, 30.12.2006, p.1); 

–  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  41/2007  of  21  December  2006  fixing  for  2007  the  fishing 
opportunities  and  associated  conditions  for  certain  fish  stocks  and  groups  of  fish  stocks, 
applicable  in  Community  waters  and,  for  Community  vessels,  in  waters  where  catch 
limitations are required (OJ L 15, 20.01.2007, p. 1); 

–  Council Regulation (EC) No 1098/2007 of 18 September 2007 establishing a multiannual 
plan for the cod stocks in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks, amending 
Regulation  (EEC)  No 2847/93  and  repealing  Regulation  (EC)  No 779/97  (OJ  L  248, 
22.09.2007, p. 1); 

–  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  199/2008  concerning  the  establishment  of  a  Community 
framework  for  the  collection,  management  and  use  of  data  in  the  fisheries  sector  and 
support for scientific advice regarding the Common Fisheries policy (OJ L 60, 05.03.2008, 
p.1); 

–  Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter 
and  eliminate  illegal,  unreported  and  unregulated  fishing,  amending  Regulations  (EEC) 
No 2847/93,  (EC)  No 1936/2001  and  (EC)  No 601/2004  and  repealing  Regulations  (EC) 
No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p.1); 

–  Council Regulation No (EC) 1006/2008 concerning authorisations for fishing activities of 
Community  fishing  vessels  outside  Community  waters  and  the  access  of  third  country 
vessels  to  Community  waters,  amending  Regulations  (EEC)  No  2847/90  and  (EC)  No 
1627/94 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 3317/94 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p.33); 

–  Council Regulation (EC) No xx/2009 repealing 14 obsolete Regulations in the field of the 

Common Fisheries Policy….. 

Commission acts 

–  Commission  Decision  2009/309/EC  repealing  13  obsolete  Decisions  in  the  field  of  the 

Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 90, 02.04.2009, p.24); 

–  Commission  Regulation  (EC)  No  498/2007  laying  down  detailed  rules  for  the 
implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 on the European Fisheries Fund 
(OJ L 120, 10.05.2007, p.1); 

–  Commission Regulation (EC) No 875/2007 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the 
EC  Treaty  to  de  minimis  aid  in  the  fisheries  sector  and  amending  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1860/2004 (OJ L 193, 25.07.2007, p. 6); 

–  Commission Regulation (EC) No 696/2008 laying down detailed rules for the application 
of  Council  regulation  (EC)  No  104/2000  as  regards  the  extension  to  non-members  of 
curtains  rules  adopted  by  producers'  organisations  in  the  fisheries  sector  (OJ  L  195, 
24.07.2008, p. 6); 

EN 

12 

   EN 

 
–  Commission Regulation (EC) No 736/2008 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the 
Treaty  to  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises  active  in  production,  processing  and 
marketing of fisheries products (OJ L 201, 30.07.2008, p. 16); 

–  Commission Regulation (EC) No 665/2008 of 14 July 2008 laying down detailed rules for 
the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 concerning the establishment of a 
Community  framework  for  the  collection,  management  and  use  of  data  in  the  fisheries 
sector and support for scientific advice regarding the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 186, 
15.07.2008, p.3); 

–  - Commission Regulation (EC) No 1077/2008 of 3 November 2008 laying down detailed 
rules  for  the  implementation  of  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No 1966/2006  on  electronic 
recording and reporting of fishing activities and on means of remote sensing and repealing 
Regulation (EC) No 1566/2007 (OJ L 295, 04.11.2008, p. 3); 

–  Commission Regulation (EC) No 148/2009 repealing 11 obsolete Regulations in the field 

of the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 50, 21.02.2009, p.10); 

–  Commission Regulation (EC) No 248/2009 laying down detailed rules for the application 
of Council regulation (EC) No 104/2000 as regards notifications concerning recognition of 
producer  organisations,  the  fixing  of  prices  and  intervention  within  the  scope  of  the 
common organisation of the market in fisheries and aquaculture products (recast) (OJ L 79, 
25.03.2009, p.7). 

EN 

13 

   EN