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Fishing Fleet Protection.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2004

Thursday, 1 April 2004

Questions (34, 35)

Liz McManus

Question:

28 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the response that he has received from his recent call to the EU Commission to examine closely the delivery of incentives to change fishing habits in order to protect stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10216/04]

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Written answers

The Deputy's question relates to comments made by me in my capacity as chairman at the ministerial and stakeholders conference on fast tracking the development of environmentally-friendly fishing methods which was held on 11 March 2004 under the Irish Presidency.

At the conference, Ministers each put forward a broad range of possible approaches to the development and integration of environmentally-friendly fishing methods in European fisheries management policy. All Ministers agreed that fishermen themselves were central to the successful delivery of environmentally-friendly fishing methods.

The EU Commissioner for Fisheries, Dr. Fischler, addressed this issue directly in his keynote address to the delegates. The comments to which the Deputy refers were, in fact, my positive reaction to the Commissioner's own suggestion that fishermen who adopt a more environmentally-friendly approach to fishing through the use of more selective technologies and methods should be recognised for their efforts. I also supported the Commissioner's suggestion that this could be done either through preferential grant aid under the framework of the fisheries structural funds or through the allocation of increased fishing opportunities.

The provision of incentives to encourage environmentally-friendly fishing methods is one of a number of key issues which arose at the conference and will be considered in detail by the Directors-General of European fisheries at planned informal meetings next week in Dublin and Dundalk. I have also agreed with Commissioner Fischler to have a formal communication presented by the Commission on the subject of the conference during the Irish Presidency of the EU. This formal Commission communication will then form the basis for the Council's work — planning the development of environmentally-friendly fishing methods within the CFP.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

29 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in regard to the consideration by the European Commission to the joint application made with the UK for new measures to safeguard the salmon farming industry from recent surges of cheap imports of farmed salmon from non-EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10221/04]

View answer

As previously outlined to the House, the joint Ireland-UK application for an investigation into the circumstances leading to the current situation on the EU salmon market, and the possibility of opening safeguard measures, is being dealt with by the European Commission's safeguards committee.

The application was initially presented to that committee on 12 February 2004 and the Commission expressed the view that the criteria for opening an investigation under the relevant EU Regulations, had been fulfilled. The Commission also sought, by 23 February 2004, the detailed views of other member states. The Commission initiated an investigation as requested by Ireland and the UK on 6 March 2004, which will determine whether the introduction of safeguard measures is justified. Once the investigation is complete, the Commission, following discussions at the safeguards committee, can decide to introduce safeguard measures on a provisional basis for a period of 200 days.

If the Commission decides to introduce longer term safeguard measures, any member state may refer the matter to the Council of Ministers. The Council acting by qualified majority may confirm, amend or revoke the Commission's decision.

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