Akkoord over aangescherpte controles voor de visserij (en)

The ministers reached a decision on a new fisheries control system at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 19 October. The Council also negotiated on new fishing quotas in the Baltic Sea for 2010. Measures to address the serious situation on the milk market were also discussed.

The situation on the milk market

Responding to a request from 21 Member States, the Commission is prepared to propose setting aside a further EUR 280 million to support the milk sector. It is now up to the European Parliament and the EU ministers for finance to make the final decision. The Commission pointed out that, if these funds are used, there will be nothing left in the budget’s safety margins for other possible crises. The allocation of funds between the Member States is likely to be based on last year’s production levels. It will then be up to the countries to allocate the funds to the individual producers in an appropriate way. 

Buying milk quotas

The ministers were in principle agreed on approving two amendments to the current rules on the organisation of the agricultural markets and on special provisions for certain agricultural products as soon as possible. The background to the changes is the sharp fall in prices that has occurred on the milk market since prices peaked in mid-2008.

The first change means that the Member States will be able to buy up quotas from milk producers. The countries will thus have the possibility to collect penalty charges from individual producers even in those cases where the national quotas have not been exceeded. The Member States will then be able to use some of the revenue generated from the penalty charges to finance a restructuring of the milk sector.

At present the Commission has the power to take measures to deal with market disturbances when prices on the Community market increase or decrease significantly for certain products, such as sugar or beef. The second change means that the Commission would get the same powers for the milk sector.

Extended intervention periods

The ministers also took a decision to extend the intervention period for butter and skimmed milk powder. The extension of the intervention period means that the Member States’ intervention bodies continue to stockpile butter and skimmed milk powder, even after the established intervention period. The objective is to stabilise prices.

The Commission also presented a report on the latest developments on the milk market. The report stated that while the situation on the milk market has improved somewhat, it is still serious.

GMOs

As expected, it was not possible to take decisions on the three matters on genetically modified maize that were on the agenda, and now it will be up to the Commission to take decisions on them. In addition, new marketing standards were adopted for poultry meat.

New fisheries control system

The Council reached an agreement on the introduction of an EU control system, which will ensure that the rules under the Common Fisheries Policy are respected by the fishing industry and will also put an end to illegal fishing. The new control system will ensure more consistent penalties for fishermen who break the rules. In cases of serious infringements, fishing licences may be withdrawn. In addition, countries that have not introduced effective controls may be made subject to reduced quotas and deductions may be made from the financial assistance from the European Fisheries Fund. The aim is also to ensure that equal competitive conditions are created for Europe’s fishermen. More effective controls will also protect the fish stocks while making sure that consumers have access to legally harvested fish. The control system will enter into force on 1 January 2010, with certain exceptions.

New fishing quotas in the Baltic Sea for 2010

The Council was also able to agree on new fishing quotas for the stocks of cod, herring, salmon and sprat in the Baltic Sea for 2010. The new quotas mean an increase of 15 per cent for cod fishing quotas in the eastern Baltic and 8.6 per cent in the western Baltic. The increase in quotas is partly due to the increase in stocks of cod. For herring the proposal means a reduction in the larger areas of the Baltic Sea. Quotas in the western Baltic are reduced by 16.5 per cent and in the central Baltic by 12 per cent. On the other hand, herring quotas are increased by 25 per cent in the Sea of Bothnia and the Bay of Bothnia. The quotas for sprat and salmon are subject to a reduction of 15 per cent throughout the Baltic Sea, apart from in the Gulf of Finland.

As part of the efforts to protect fish stocks, the Council also decided to allow larger holes in the nets used when fishing for cod, as of next year. The aim is to reduce the amount of fish thrown overboard because they are not included in the quotas.

Preliminary discussion ahead of the fisheries negotiations with Norway

The ministers presented their priorities ahead of the negotiations with Norway. The negotiations will be held on 16–20 November in Bergen (Norway) and on 30 November–4 December in Brussels.