Foodlaw-Reading

Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK

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Food Law News - EU - 2018

Commission Press release (IP/18/3978), 30 May 2018

FISH - Common Fisheries Policy: Commission proposes new rules to step up enforcement

The European Commission is proposing improvements to modernise and simplify the way in which fishing rules are monitored and complied with in the EU.

An effective control system is key to ensuring that the EU's fisheries are sustainably managed, which in turn guarantees the long-term viability of the EU fishing sector and protects the livelihoods of our fishermen.

Commissioner Karmenu Vella, responsible for the Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, said: "The EU's Common Fisheries Policy has already gone a long way towards making sure our seas are healthy, while building a strong fishing industry and thriving coastal communities. At the same time, we need to keep up the work and make sure the commonly agreed rules are enforced across the EU. This is why we are proposing improvements to modernise the existing control system to make it more efficient and ensure that all operators in the fishing industry in the EU are treated equally."

The Commission's proposal includes:

The revised rules will strengthen compliance, modernise data management and ultimately make control more efficient to the benefit of EU fisheries. Improving the way in which the EU can monitor the enforcement of EU rules on fisheries will intensify the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It will further support the effective implementation of the landing obligation, which comes fully into force as of next year and requires that fishermen land all catches to stop the wasteful practice of throwing unwanted fish back to the sea.

Background

The current Control Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009), which entered into force in 2010, has played an important role in stepping up compliance by Member States with the commonly agreed rules of the Common Fisheries Policy. It has also helped foster a level playing field among operators. The control system has been designed to:

The Commission's proposal will now go to the European Parliament and Council for adoption.

COM/2018/368 - Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009, and amending Council Regulations (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 1967/2006, (EC) No 1005/2008, and Regulation (EU) No 2016/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards fisheries control

A copy of the full proposal can be found on the EU website (click on image) - see also Annex


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