Discard ban: EU Fisheries Council takes decisive stance

Brussels, 28-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — The Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting of 25 and 26 February 2013, discussed the main Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Common Fisheries Policy, proposed by the Commission in July 2011, as part of the package of proposals for a new, reformed fisheries policy for the EU.

Early this morning, Ministers reached a general approach on the remaining parts of the Regulation, after the partial approach they agreed in June 2012 under Danish Presidency. More specifically, the Council focused on the environmental obligations of Member States and on the ban of discards that are foreseen in the Regulation.

Reacting to the outcome of the meeting, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki, said: “These were very long and hard negotiations. The Council took a decisive stance for a real discard ban, with a clear and binding timetable and covering all species. The Commission proposal was more ambitious. We look forward to starting trilogues and the Commission stands ready to fully play its role in that context, to achieve the most ambitious outcome. The future fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) shall be there to help the industry to adapt and implement the change”.

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