Joe McCartin's report for the Fisheries Committee proposes that MEPs play a part in the broad debate on the principles of responsibility, partnership and competitiveness in the review of the Common Organisation of the Market (COM) for fisheries products. The report was adopted on Thursday, June 18th.
The Commission recognises three problem areas in current policies: inadequate respect for the necessity of conserving fish stocks; the need for better mutually-beneficial links between the processing industry and EU producers; and insufficient structural aid to ensure that EU producers are competitive.
Joe McCartin's report calls for a refocussing of the common organisation of the market for fisheries products through a number of options. These include a gradual reduction in market intervention (which would allow more scope for market forces and thus lead to a better match between supply and demand); changes in the role of producer organisations; stricter measures against the sale of illegally landed fish; and financial compensation for voluntary reductions in fishing.
Unlike the Commission, the report argues that EU producers should continue to receive protection and that therefore tariff reductions are undesirable.