Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
122. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he intends to take if the 31 December deadline for the completion of the review of the common fisheries policy will not be met under the Cypriot Presidency; his plans in relation to fisheries policy under the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48423/12]
View answerThe Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the fisheries policy of the European Union which was first put in place in 1983 and has been subject to reviews every 10 years. The current CFP is under review and will not be completed during the Cypriot Presidency and accordingly will fall for delivery during the Irish Presidency of the EU.
My overarching goal for the new CFP is for a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to deliver a sustainable and eco centred fisheries landscape for future generations.
In the current economic climate, we need a policy that both simplifies and reduces the administrative burden while at the same time strengthens and supports the industry’s capacity to maximise employment in coastal community’s dependant on fishing.
The new CFP will be agreed between the European Parliament and the EU Fisheries Council under the ordinary legislative process (co-decision).
The Council of Fisheries Ministers under the Danish Presidency reached a general approach on the Basic CFP Regulation and the Common Organisation of the Markets (CMO) at the June Fisheries Council (12 June). This is a significant, though informal, step in the process of working towards final agreement with the European Parliament under the ordinary legislative procedure. At the October Fisheries Council, a partial general approach of the Council on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) was secured.
The European Parliament has completed its first reading of the CMO proposal and is currently conducting its first reading of the basic CFP Regulation and the EMFF proposal. It is expected that these first readings will be completed in the early part of the year.
As it now clear that adoption by 31 December 2012 will not happen, it is my intention to actively endeavour to reach agreement on the Reform package during the Irish presidency in the first half of 2013. I have recently had a series of meetings with Fisheries Ministers, Commissioner Damanaki and with key MEPs to lay the groundwork for achieving agreement.
