The preparation for the Agriculture & Fisheries Council meeting in next week is in full swing. Commissioners Mariann Fischer Boel, Androulla Vassiliou and Joe Borg will represent the Commission at the meeting. It is said that the council will start with Agriculture points. SANCO issues will be dealt with on Monday afternoon. Tuesday morning will be devoted to Fisheries points. On Monday, over lunch, Ministers will discuss the milk market situation.
Among the top most agenda of the meeting includes sustainable development of EU aquaculture –council conclusions. It is informed that the Commission’s communication provides a new political impetus for the future of EU aquaculture and outlines a range of measures to be taken by public authorities at all levels to allow this sector to achieve its full potential.
Control of the Common Fisheries Policy – policy debate. Under this agenda the Council will continue its discussion of the Commission’s proposal to create a completely modernized system for inspection, monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement of the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy throughout the market chain, from net to plate (IP/08/1710).
Experts believe that the reformed system will contribute to the sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources, and create the conditions for an economic recovery of the fisheries sector and the communities depending on fishing. It is notified that the Commission’s proposal has received broad support from the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee, which have all adopted reports on this issue over the last two months.
Bluefin tuna – information from the Commission. This agenda required Commissioner Borg to update Council on the so far positive progress of the 2009 fishing season for bluefin tuna in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean as well as the Specific Control and Inspection Plan established by the Commission in collaboration with the Community Fisheries Control Agency.
