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For the authorisation of actual products containing these active substances, the EU territory will be divided into three zones with comparable climatic conditions (North, Centre and South). Within each zone, mutual recognition of authorisations will apply. This means that permissions granted by one member state should be accepted by othermember states belonging to the same zone. In exceptional cases this acceptance may be blocked by a member state for fear of serious risks to health or the environment, when warranted by its specific agricultural or environmental circumstances.
In cases where a serious danger to plant health can only be controlled by means of an active substance which does not comply with the endorsed criteria, the Council proposes that a derogation should be granted for the use of that substance for a limited time period.
After a second reading by the European Parliament and by the Council, and subject to further amendment, a final version of the regulation will be formally adopted.
More information:
Council deliberation
Council Press release(pdf)
Council webcast of Press conference
Bringing illegal fishing under control
A serious threat is posed to fish stocks and marine biodiversity worldwide by persistent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. There is a wide consensus around the world, expressed in various international agreements, on the gravity of the problem and on the urgent need to take action to combat these practices. Against this background, a regulation proposed by the Commission to intensify existing EU action and establish a system to prevent, deter and eliminate these activities was agreed on by the Fisheries Council which met on 24 June in Luxembourg.
The European Community, which has one of the largest fishing fleets in the world and is the biggest market and the first importer for fisheries products, is naturally a key player in international efforts to improve sustainable fishery and fight IUU fishing. It has been active in this field for more than a decade.
The aim of the regulation is to stop importation of IUU fishery products into the Community by measures covering the whole supply chain from harvesting to trade. It will introduce an EU "black list" of non-complying vessels, rules on drawing up such lists and the consequences of being included thereon. It will also establish a certification scheme which covers all imports of fishery products, with the exception of products derived from inland fisheries and aquaculture. Furthermore, it will provide for an approximation within the Union of the levels of sanctions in relation to serious infringements.
When finally adopted, this new legal act will help ensure the sustainability of fish stocks. In addition, it will improve the situation of Community fishermen who are affected by unfair competition from illegal fishery products.
More information:
Council webcast of Press conference
Protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems
The Council of EU Fisheries Ministers agreed on 24 June in Luxemburg on common rules to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems in the high seas from bottom fisheries. The new regulation prevents the use of bottom gears (for example weighted trawling nets) in areas containing sensitive ecosystems such as reefs, seamounts, deep water corals or sponges. In the future, vessels fishing with bottom gears must have a special fishing permit. These permits are issued by member states after a thorough assessment of the potential impact of the intended fishing activities.
Vessels must cease fishing immediately when encountering vulnerable marine ecosystems. The use of bottom gears in areas for which no data on the occurrence of such ecosystems are available will be totally prohibited. The prohibition shall be reviewed before 30 June 2010, in the light of recent scientific information. Vessels are required to take independent observers on board to monitor fishing activities and to record any catch information. This obligation is to be reviewed one year following publication of the regulation. Member states are to report every 6 months to the Commission on the implementation of the Regulation.
After their formal adoption, the new rules will apply to all vessels operating in areas which are not covered by existing regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs). UN Resolution 61/105, adopted in December 2006, called for a strict regulation of bottom fishing activities by RFMOs, leaving to individual states the responsibility for areas outside the remit of such organisations. As the EU has a sizeable fleet of bottom trailers operating beyond the jurisdiction of RFMOs, it must take action to protect living marine resources in these areas.
More information:
Council Press release(pdf)
Council webcast of Press conference
Fishing of bluefin tuna
On 12 June, the European Commission decided to prohibit the fishing of bluefin tuna with purse-seiners in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterrenean as of 16 June (for Spain as of 23 June) to avoid overfishing.
In accordance with theregulation on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources, two member states on 16 June referred the closure of the fishing to the Council.
On 24 June, the Agriculture and Fisheries Council took note of the concerns expressed by those member states and of the Commission's intention to maintain its decision.
Upcoming events
Economic and Financial Affairs Council, 8 July 2008
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