NORTH SEA PLAICE AND SOLE (5403/06)
Letter from Ben Bradshaw MP, Minister
for Local Environment, Marine and Animal Welfare, Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to the Chairman
I promised to keep you informed regarding developments
on this dossier which has been retained under scrutiny by your
Committee as it was concerned to ensure the plan did not undermine
the effectiveness of parallel arrangements to ensure the recovery
of North Sea and other cod stocks. In the meantime, we have been
attempting to ensure due regard is paid by the Commission to these
concerns.
I can confirm that we are now close to agreement
on the text (a copy of the latest draft is attached for your information
(not printed)). Although the Commission continue to argue that
it is taken as read that they will not take decisions in one area
to the detriment of another (and that there is therefore no need
to include specific reference in the regulation itself), they
recognise our concerns and those of other Member States. They
have therefore agreed to a statement confirming their powers to
go beyond what is required of the plan itself to ensure the success
of the cod recovery mechanism (copy is also attached (not printed)).
In the light of this statement, we are proposing
to support the measure and hope that the Commission's assurances
will also be sufficient to convince the Committee that its concerns
have been addressed. The proposal is expected to go forward for
adoption as an A point at the April Agriculture and Fisheries
Council.
26 March 2007
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