12. We consider that the following raises questions of political importance,
but make no recommendation for its further consideration:--
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
(17590)
--
COM(96)524 |
A draft Regulation amending for the fifth time Regulation (EC) 3074/95 fixing, for certain fish
stocks and groups of fish stocks, the total allowable catches for 1996 and certain conditions under
which they might be fished. |
| Legal base: |
Article 43; qualified majority voting. |
Background
12.1 The draft Regulation proposing total allowable catches (TACs) for the Community
for 1996 was debated on the Floor of the House on 19 December 1995[25]. Although the overall TACs and quotas are set at the beginning of the year,
a number of adjustments are made throughout the year at the request of Member States with an
interest in individual stocks. This is the fifth amendment this year to the annual TACs and would
increase the allowable catches for herring and haddock in certain Community waters, and amend the
Community's quota for cod in the Baltic Sea as a result of negotiations with Poland.
The proposal
12.2 This is in three sections. The first relates to an increase in the
precautionary quota for herring in ICES[26] area VII g,h,j,k[27] from 16,500 tonnes to 21,000 tonnes. The increase in the total
allowable catch for haddock is from 7,000 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes in ICES area VII,VIII,IX and X[28]. The third element relates to the Community quota for cod in
the Baltic Sea as a result of negotiations with Poland.
12.3 In his Explanatory Memorandum of 8 November, the Minister of State at the
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr Baldry) indicates that the Government supports the
proposal. The proposed increases for herring and haddock follow established procedures. He points
out that the UK has only a very small share of the herring TAC concerned[29]. The increase in quota of 10 tonnes needs to be seen in this context.
However, the UK has 10% of the haddock TAC, and the increase in the haddock quota would therefore
result in the UK receiving an increase of 300 tonnes. The Minister of State notes that the UK
industry does not fish in the Baltic Sea and would therefore be unaffected by changes in the cod
quota.
Conclusion
12.4 In view of the sensitivity of fishing matters, the changes in the total
allowable catches are of political importance. However, it is part of the annual process for
changes to be made particularly when, as in this case, 75% of the quota has been taken up. The
Commission must satisfy itself that any increase in the amount of fish to be caught will not put
stocks at risk. In view of the minor nature of the changes proposed, we do not recommend
debate.
25. (16664) 12604/95; see HC-iv (1995-96), paragraph 1 (13 December 1995) and
Official Report, 19 December 1995, cols.1346-1405 (see also point of order, cols.406-7).
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26. ICES is the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea.
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27. ICES area VII g,h,j,k is the area from 48° to 52°/52<° 30′
North and from 5° to 18° West.
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28. ICES areas VII, VIII, IX and X cover the areas from the south-west of the UK
down to and including the waters to the west of the Iberian Peninsula.
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29. This amounts to only 0.12% of the quota.
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