FISHFILES LITE APRIL 2003

Megapesca Lda. Portugal

www.megapesca.com

 

 

Dear Colleague,

 

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

 

(http://www.megapesca.com/megashop/legis1.html).

 

The content of this newsletter is subject to a disclaimer at the foot of the page. If you do not wish to receive further editions of this newsletter, please follow the instructions at the foot of the page.

 

Common Fisheries Policy

 

  1. EU Commission proposes WTO move on capacity enhancing fisheries subsidies
  2. Temporary recovery measures for cod fisheries amended from 1 February 2003.
  3. Emergency measures to prohibit fishing for cod and flatfish in the Baltic
  4. Technical changes to fish quotas for 2003.
  5. Stronger regulations regarding reporting of toothfish catches in CCAMLR area.
  6. Stringer regulations governing the “days at sea” fishing effort limitation for cod in the North Sea and West of Scotland.
  7. Parliamentary question was asked regarding potential damage of fishing for non-quota species in the North Sea.
  8. Commission decides to allow a number of Member State exemptions to MAGP IV.
  9. Parliamentary question regarding origins and use of fishmeal in the EU.
  10. Parliamentary questions regarding drift net fishing for tuna in the Mediterranean and ICCAT areas.
  11. Parliamentary Question regarding alleged harassment by British Navy of British flagged Spanish vessels.
  12. Parliamentary Question regarding the alleged re-building of the Netherlands shrimp fleet .

 

Fish Hygiene

 

  1. New animal feed hygiene regulation proposed, applying hygienic principles and HACCP in feed businesses.
  2. DG SANCO reported on fish health conditions for supply of fishery products from Grenada.
  3. DG SANCO also reported on fish health conditions for supply of fishery products from Antigue and Barbuda.
  4. New Common Veterinary Entry Document published for use at Border Inspection Posts.
  5. Labelling of allergenic foods ingredients (including fishery products) is to be extended.
  6. The Commission published an updated list of four countries from which imports of frogs’ legs are authorized.
  7. The Commission and Council set out the policy framework, rationale and draft for a new regulation governing salmonella and other food borne diseases
  8. Parliamentary question regarding location of EFSA and the rumored dropping of Barcelona’s candidacy.
  9. European Parliament supports re-organisation of vertical hygiene regulations.
  10. Commission outlines policy and procedures on national food controls and border inspection procedures in the soon-to-be extended EU.
  11. The Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) held its final meeting on 10 and 11 April 2003. From now on, the European Food Safety Authority will provide relevant scientific advice.
  12. Regulation 2377/90 amended, adding sulphur to veterinary medical products which can be applied to food animals.
  13. The Commission has modified the maximum residue limits for certain veterinary medicines in farmed fish.
  14. The EU Parliament Committee supported Commission proposals to treat smoke flavourings as additives.
  15. Parliamentary Questions were asked regarding anti-cancer priorities and the issue of acrylamide in foods.

 

 

Common Fisheries Policy

 

  1. Following the publication of several studies assessing the level of global subsidies, the European Commission has submitted a proposal to the World Trade Organization to take steps to eliminate fisheries subsidies which increase fishing capacity. Other subsidies (e.g. for vessel withdrawal) should be retained.

 

  1. The Council of Fisheries Ministers accepted European Commission proposals to amend the temporary recovery measures for cod fisheries from 1 February 2003. This includes changes in affected areas and a more flexible definition of “days not in port”.

 

  1. The European Commission introduced emergency measures to prohibit fishing for cod and flatfish with trawls, bottom seines and similar nets in the Baltic, extending the present summer ban for cod fishing.

 

  1. Technical changes and corrections were made to the regulation setting out allocation of quota for 2003.

 

  1. Regulations regarding reporting of toothfish catches in CCAMLR area were strengthened.  New reporting requirements now apply to all EU trade in toothfish, and EU import is banned without a catch document.

 

  1. Regulations were strengthened governing the “days at sea” fishing effort limitation for cod in the North Sea and West of Scotland.

 

  1. Parliamentary question was asked regarding the potential damage caused by fishing for non-quota species in the North Sea. Most commercially important species in this region are subject to quota.

 

  1. Commission decided to allowed a number of Member State exemptions to MAGP IV (allowing vessel replacement to improve safety, or where lost at sea).

 

  1. Parliamentary question was asked regarding origins and use of fishmeal in the EU. Commissioner Fischler quotes an EU Parliament STOA study indicating Denmark produces half of the fishmeal of EU origin, and of 700,000 tonnes used per annum, about 175,000 was used in aquaculture.

 

  1. Two Parliamentary questions were asked regarding drift net fishing for tuna in the Mediterranean and ICCAT areas. No formal information available.

 

  1. Parliamentary Question was asked regarding alleged harassment, by the British Navy, of British flagged Spanish vessels. A vessel was detained due to infractions of the regulations; there is no evidence of discriminatory behaviour.

 

  1. Parliamentary Question was asked regarding the alleged re-building of the Netherlands shrimp fleet irrespective of MAGP IV guidelines. Commission responds that this was a new fleet segment which has expanded by transfer of capacity from other segments. No FIFG aid has been given to the development of this capacity.

 

 

Fish Hygiene

 

  1. The Commission announced a new regulation of animal feed hygiene requirements, covering conditions during production, storage, transport and handling, requiring HACCP to be applied in feed businesses.

 

  1. DG SANCO reported on fish health conditions for supply of fishery products from Grenada to the EU. Recommends improved monitoring of water quality, histamine and heavy metals. Establishments also were not in compliance. Seeks guarantees from the Competent Authority.

 

  1. DG SANCO also report on fish health conditions for supply of fishery products from Antigua & Barbuda to the EU. Although broadly in compliance, attention is required to HACCP inspection, monitoring of environmental contaminants and histamine, and accreditation of laboratory methods. Seeks guarantees before moving to List 1.

 

  1. The Commission has published a new Common Veterinary Entry Document for authorised consignments of animal and animal products at Border Inspection Posts.

 

  1. Proposed changes to Regulation 2002/13 (labelling of foods) were published, extending the requirement for labelling of certain allergenic products (including fishery products) when they (or a derivative) are an ingredient in food.

 

  1. The Commission published an updated list of four countries from which imports of frogs’ legs are authorized.

 

  1. The Commission and Council set out the policy framework, rationale and draft for a new regulation governing salmonella and other food borne diseases

 

  1. Parliamentary question regarding location of EFSA and the rumoured dropping of Barcelona’s candidacy as permanent location. No information received by the Commission

 

  1. Following signature of Treaties of Accession by 10 new EU members, the Commission has outlined policy and procedures on national food controls and border inspection procedures in the extended EU.

 

  1. The Scientific Steering Committee (SSC) held its final meeting on 10 and 11 April 2003. From now on, the European Food Safety Authority will provide the scientific advice that the Commission relies on to manage food safety issues.

 

  1. Amendment to schedule of Regulation 2377/90 adding sulphur to the list of veterinary medical products which can be applied to food animals.

 

  1. The EU Parliament Committee supported Commission proposals to treat smoke flavourings as additives and seek specific toxicological authorisations.

 

  1. The Commission has passed a new regulation amending the maximum residue limits for the veterinary medicine oxolininc acid in farmed fish.

 

  1. Parliamentary Questions were asked regarding anti-cancer priorities and the issue of acrylamide in foods. The Commission is consulting stakeholders with a view to developing guidelines. More research is required to assess feasibility of setting limits.

 

  1. European Parliament supports Commission proposals for re-organisation of vertical hygiene regulations.

 

 

Disclaimer

 

Whilst we use our best efforts to provide accurate information in this newsletter, Megapesca is not responsible for the results of any inaccuracies or omissions which may be found to exist in the information provided, or any loss of profits or other consequential damages that may result from actions or omissions based on the information supplied. Readers are advised that only the European Union legislation published in the paper editions of the Official Journal of the European Communities is deemed authentic