FISHFILES LITE FEBRUARY 2003

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Fishfiles Lite is a free monthly newsletter summarizing key developments in EU fisheries and trade policy and legislation. The full text of all of the items below is available to subscribers to Megapesca's FishFiles Professional service

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Common Fisheries Policy

1. New Commission Communication on improved scientific advice for fisheries management.

2. Commission approved two schemes of state aid for fisheries Italy.

3. EU Parliament approved an extension of subsidy regime for additional costs incurred in the marketing of certain fishery products from remote regions.

4. The Commission accepts anti-dumping undertakings from more Norwegian salmon exporters.

5. Commission officials and representatives of the fishing industry met to clarify aspects of the interim recovery plan for cod (in force on 1st February 2003).

6. Stop fishing notice applied to fishing for yellowtail flounder by EU vessels in the NAFO zone.

7. European Parliament gave a response to the Biodiversity Action Plans presented by the Commission.

8. A Parliamentary question criticised the Commission for assuming too many powers in respect of fisheries management, particularly the setting of TACs.

Parliamentary questions were asked regarding:

9. Dilution of the principle of relative stability in the CFP reform process.

10. Community compensation for cessation of fishing activities

11. Access of the Spanish and Portuguese fleets to all Community waters.

12. Comparative classification of fisheries dependent regions and allocation of fishing opportunities.

13. Industrial fishing and CFP reform

14. Scientific opinion on excessive cuts in TACs

15. Benefits of foreign fishing agreements

16. Availability of scientific data on fishing impacts upon dolphins

17. Risks of eco-system impacts of catch of non-quota species in the North Sea

18. Action in respect of the use of banned driftnets by a Belize flagged Irish vessel

19. Use of pelagic trawls and impact on cetacean bycatch

20. The use of scrapped long-line vessels in less developed countries

21. The origin, and quantities, of tuna loins imported under preferential quota-tariff rates for tuna canning in the EU.

Fish Hygiene

22. The Commission published proposals for a new Regulation to replace existing provisions on official food and feed controls.

23. The Commission presented a draft Decision on new procedures for veterinary checks on animal products from third countries.

24. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on the health conditions of fishery products and molluscs in Germany

25. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on the control system for contaminants in food in Germany.

26. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on the health conditions of fish and molluscs exported to the EU from Bahamas.

27. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on the health conditions of fishery products exported to the EU from Cape Verde

28. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on the health conditions of fishery products exported to the EU from Fiji.

29. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on health conditions for fishery products exported to the EU from Kenya.

30. DG SANCO FVO inspectors report on health conditions for bivalve molluscs exported to the EU from Peru.

31. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on health conditions for fishery products exported to the EU from French Polynesia.

32. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on health conditions for fishery products exported to the EU from St.Pierre and Michelon.

33. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on health conditions for fishery products exported to the EU from El-Salvador.

34. DG SANCO reported on the functioning of the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)

35. Council passed a substantive modification of Directive 2002/72/EEC regarding migration criteria for plastic materials in contact with foods

36. Commission announced scientific investigation of the use of titanium dioxide-coated mica in feedingstuffs for salmon and trout

37. The Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures Relating to Public Health approves risk assessment for VTEC in foods.

38. Procedures proposed for applying new limits for dioxin in animal feeds from 1 August 2003

39. Draft Commission decision considers setting out minimum performance criteria for tests for chloramphenicol and nitrofurans

40. Commission Recommendation on the monitoring of background levels of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in foodstuffs.

41. The Commission updated the list of notifiable mollusc diseases, pathogens and sensitive species

42. The Commission added a fish farm in Germany to the list of approved disease free aquaculture establishments.

43. The Commission published a new list of Community reference laboratories for biological hazards.

44. The Commission authorised financial support for Community reference laboratories from EU agricultural structural funds.

Common Fisheries Policy

1. The Commission issued a Communication on means to improve scientific advice needed by the EU for fisheries management. New measures will improve communication between the fishing industry and science ensuring better prioritisation of fisheries research, and an enhanced role for ICES, through the creation of a new advisory body for fisheries science.

2. The Commission approved two schemes of financial support by the Government of Italy for fishers affected by suspension of activities in 2000.

3. The EU Parliament approved a resolution extending the scheme to compensate for the additional costs incurred in the marketing of certain fishery products from the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands, and Guyana and Réunion as a result of those regions’ remoteness

4. The Commission amended its Decision regarding anti-dumping duties imposed on some Norwegian salmon exporters; undertakings from Vestmar AS, Gaia Seafood AS and Polar Quality AS are accepted, thus exempting them from anti-dumping duties.

5. Commission officials and representatives of the fishing industry met to clarify aspects of the interim recovery plan for cod (in force on 1st February 2003).

6. Stop fishing notice issued, applying to fishing for yellowtail flounder by EU vessels in the HNAFO zone 3LNO.

7. European Parliament gave a response to the Biodiversity Action Plans presented by the Commission. In fisheries, Parliament supports the actions proposed, requires biodiversity to be central to fisheries management, calls for more regulation on selective gears and condemns adverse effects of fishing in third country waters.

8. A Parliamentary question criticised the Commission for assuming too many powers in respect of fisheries management, particularly the setting of TACs. There was a robust defence from Commissioner Fischler.

9. Parliamentary questions were asked regarding an alleged dilution of the principle of relative stability in the CFP reform process. The Commission denies any deviation from the Hague criteria but proposes to set out in Regulation how the criteria are to be applied.

10. Parliamentary question was asked on the Community funded compensation for cessation of activities due to bad weather or biological rest periods. Commissioner Fischler outlined the present conditions when this may occur.

11. Another question regarding access of the Spanish and Portuguese fleets to all Community waters. Commissioner Fischler confirms that this will be on a non-discrimantory basis subject to general access restrictions and Council decisions (i.e. relative stability principle)

12. The Commission was questioned in the EU Parliament on comparative classification of certain fisheries dependent regions, with a call for more detailed research and for dependency to be taken into account in allocation of fishing opportunities. They were also questioned regarding studies to improve the methodologies used in the assessment of fisheries dependency. Commissioner Fischler outlined the concept of fisheries dependency and the current research to develop improved methodologies and stated that Council regulations do not recognise this criteria in allocation of fishing opportunities.

13. A Parliamentary question was asked regarding the scientific basis for the omission of industrial fishing for special consideration in CFP reform. Commissioner Fischler explained how ICES addresses this issue in scientific advice to the Commission.

14. A Parliamentary question was asked regarding the statements by a Spanish fisheries scientist that proposed cuts in TACs were excessive. Commissioner Fischler stated that the Commission can only use scientific advice from ICES, not individual scientists.

15. A Parliamentary question was asked based on the 2001 UNEP report on costs and benefits of foreign fishing agreements and EU policy in pursuing such agreements with third countries, to ensure benefits for fishers. The Commission outlines the policy including “targeted actions” in the financial aid package to ensure support for the fishery sector in the third country.

16. A Parliamentary question was asked regarding availability of scientific data on fishing impacts upon dolphins. The Commission is presently awaiting reports from Member States and will draw up new monitoring and bycatch mitigation proposals in the summer of 2003.

17. A Parliamentary question was asked regarding the risks of non-quota species being caught in the North Sea and the eco-system impacts. The Commission responded that the control and monitoring of non-quota species are within the responsibilities of the Member States.

18. A Parliamentary question was asked on the Commission action in respect of the use of banned driftnets by a Belize flagged Irish vessel “Albatross II” landing in Vigo. The Commission is aware of the incident and the vessel was prevented from subsequently landing in Scotland.

19. A Parliamentary question was asked regarding the use of pelagic trawls and their impact on cetacean bycatch. The Commission is aware of the possibility of impact, but does not have information on trends. It is aware of the need to improve monitoring and reporting of cetacean bycatch.

20. A Parliamentary question was asked regarding promoting the use of scrapped long-line vessels in less developed countries. Support for permanent export of decommissioned vessels will no longer be supported by the CFP, and such export could have unpredictable and negative impacts on local fisheries and is therefore a bad idea, says the Commission.

21. A Parliamentary question was asked regarding the origin and quantities of tuna loins imported under preferential quota-tariff rates for tuna canning in the EU.

Fish Hygiene

22. The European Commission published proposals for a new Regulation to replace existing provisions on official food and feed controls. It introduces a new framework for management (documented control procedures and internal audits), stricter rules on the accreditation of laboratories and requires national control plans with criteria on staff, training and documented control procedures. In addition it requires contingency plans for food crises and (at last) a common regime for controls on food and feed imports, basing the control frequency on risk to harmonise application of standards.

23. The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health Commission has presented a new draft Commission Decision to replace 93/13/EEC on procedures for veterinary checks on animal products from third countries. A decision was postponed until January 2003.

24. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on the German application of EU directives for health conditions of fish and molluscs. Results satisfactory, although some criticism of lack of central coordination by the Competent Authority.

25. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on a mission to Germany to investigate the control system for contaminants in food, following the detection of the herbicide nitrofen in samples of animal products and feedstuffs. Some system weaknesses identified.

26. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on a mission to the Bahamas. Notes significant improvements to the control systems for fishery products and establishments. Legislation, reporting and follow-up inspections, laboratory QA and HACCP inspection still need to be strengthened.

27. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on a mission to Cape Verde, following up serious deficiencies identified and delisting in 1999. Notes major progress on legislation, organisation of the CA and hygiene conditions. Still needs more inspector training and attention to histamine and heavy metal hazards. Recommends re-listing after receipt of guarantees.

28. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on a mission to Fiji. Finds that Fiji has not enacted relevant legislation, that there are two competent authorities, lacking coordination to adequately control health conditions of exported fishery products. Deficiencies also noted in processing plants, but no immediate public health risk. Commission is recommended to consider unspecified protective measures.

29. DG SANCO FVO inspectors report on health conditions for fishery products exported from Kenya. Notes significant improvements in relation to legislation and condition of establishments, but with shortcomings in pesticide monitoring system, testing laboratories and inspection of establishments.

30. DG SANCO FVO inspectors report on health conditions for export of bivalve molluscs from Peru. Notes significant improvements since the last inspection, and systems are generally considered to be satisfactory; criticises laboratory test method used for E.coli, and some defects in establishments. Recommends short term resumption of some lower risk products (pectinidae), with a longer term review for clams.

31. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on a mission to French Polynesia, regarding health conditions for fishery products. Finds generally satisfactory results; requires improvements in HACCP implementation and laboratory accreditation. Recommends List 1 after receipt of guarantees.

32. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on an inspection mission to St.Pierre and Michelon, finds some defects in relation to legislation (heavy metal limits), improvements to laboratories (histamine analysis), checks on fishing vessels, better documentation of inspection procedures and actions, and monitoring plan for fishery products.

33. DG SANCO FVO inspectors reported on a mission to El-Salvador. Finds acceptable conditions in establishments, but too much reliance on the own-checks. Recommends updating legislation, laboratory improvements, more active inspections, including potable water and HACCP. Recommends review after receiving guarantees.

34. DG SANCO reported on the functioning of the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) (Directive 92/59/EEC) which provides for a procedure to inform the Member States (EU + EFTA/EEA) when a product presents a serious risk for the health and safety of consumers.

35. The Commission commented on the classification system for materials in contact with food and provided a new classification for some substances in accordance with scientific committee guidelines. Following this the Council passed a substantive modification of Directive 2002/72/EEC regarding migration criteria for plastic materials in contact with foods, list of permitted materials and performance criteria

36. The Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition is considering the safety of the use of titanium dioxide-coated mica in feedingstuffs for salmon and trout

37. The Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures Relating to Public Health received a technical reports on the progress of the Joint working groups on risk assessment VTEC and Salmonella in foods. It approved the scientific opinion on the risk assessment for VTEC in foods. Identifies main risk in foods as being from those that become contaminated by faecal material of ruminant origin. Considers but advises against, need for microbiological standards, calls for improved testing methods in the food chain.

38. The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health discussed procedures coming into force of new limits for dioxin in animal feeds from 1 August 2003, (Directive 2002/32/EC) particularly transitional measures for transposition Directive into national requirements. Also discussed special application of these limits to hydrolysed fish protein.

39. Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health Commission also considered draft Commission decision setting out minimum performance criteria for tests for chloramphenicol and nitrofurans in animal foods, including aquaculture products.

40. Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health also discussed a draft Commission Recommendation on the monitoring of background levels of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in foodstuffs, in view of need to set limits for dioxin-like PCBs when limits are next reviewed at end of 2004. Recommends increased monitoring by Member States in the meanwhile. Also discussed update on acrylamide in foods.

41. A Commission Decision updated the list of mollusc diseases, pathogens and sensitive species in Annex D to Directive 95/70/EC regarding reporting and disease controls. This Decision shall apply from 8 April 2003.

42. The Commission added a fish farm in Germany to the list of approved (disease free) aquaculture establishments in disease affected zones.

43. A new list was published of Community reference laboratories for the entire range of biological hazards, plus laboratory work programmes in support of their reference functions.

44. The Commission has authorised financial support for some Community reference laboratories from EU agricultural structural funds.

Disclaimer

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