The Council decision in 1997 on the multi-annual guidance programme required the Commission to present a mid-term report. The report is required to address the state and evolution of fish stocks based on the most recent scientific advice available. It is also required to assess the impact of fleet programmes as well as conservation, control and other policy measures on the state of the resources and on the sector.
The report acknowledges that the expert committee, STECF, found no evidence that stocks had in general deteriorated or improved since the adoption of MAGP IV. The committee was therefore unable to comment on whether MAGP IV has had any influence on the status of stocks. Nevertheless, the Commission's report asserts that the current exploitation rate of stocks in European waters is too high and that there is a large problem of over capacity in the EU fleet. On this basis, the Commission's report deems the reductions set under MAGP IV to be inadequate in purely structural policy terms as opposed to impact on fisheries resources.
The Commission's report suggests that the programme be radically rewritten and extended to the end of 2002. The Commission wants to return to the large fleet cuts rejected by Council in 1997. It also wants to redesign the system to require that all fishing effort reductions are achieved through capacity rather than activity reductions. This approach would lead to significant capacity reductions in the short term for the Irish fleet, particularly in the pelagic sector.
The Commission's report does not as yet have the status of formal proposals. The Commission will have to submit a formal proposal for Council decision if it intends to proceed. This would fall to be considered during the French Presidency and a prolonged and difficult debate could be expected.
Commissioner Fischler will present the report to Council next Friday, 16 June. I will spell out in debate my fundamental views on the flawed assumptions, limited analysis and unacceptable conclusions of the report.
I will also meet the incoming French Presidency in Dublin over the weekend to exchange views on the way forward. I expect him to agree that the Commission's report is not the way forward. MAGP IV should run its course. What is needed is an objective and detailed debate on EU fleet policy, backed up by comprehensive analysis of the impact of all the policy measures at our disposal.