Conclusies Raad Landbouw en Visserij: Bescherming dolfijnen, vogelgriep in Amerika, interne markt voor plantenbescherming (en)

Fisheries

The Council adopted two proposals contributing to greater integration of environmental protection requirements into the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This was one of the main axes of the CFP reform decided in December 2002.

Council Regulation laying down measures concerning incidental catches of cetaceans in fisheries and amending Regulation (EC) 88/98

The Council adopted measures to curb the incidental catches of small cetaceans, such as dolphins and harbour porpoises, in fishing gear. According to scientific advice, by-catch of small cetaceans, occurring mainly in fisheries operating gill nets and pelagic trawls, is threatening the conservation of certain species, in particular harbour porpoises. Three types of measures have now been adopted:

• Phasing out of the use of driftnets in the Baltic Sea: the number of vessels using these nets, which are responsible for incidental catches of harbour porpoises in the Baltic, will be progressively reduced (-40% in 2005, -20 % in 2006, -20% in 2007) and will be totally prohibited as from 1 January 2008. Driftnets have been banned from tuna fisheries in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean since 2002 on account of the danger that their by-catch posed to some species.

• Compulsory use of acoustic deterrent devices ("pingers") in fisheries posing a high risk of by-catch of small cetaceans. The use of these devices, which have been shown to warn off small cetaceans from gill nets, will be mandatory for all vessels over 12 metres in these fisheries (from June 2005 in the North Sea and the Baltic, January 2006 in the Celtic Sea and the western Channel and January 2007 in the eastern Channel).

• On-board observer schemes to monitor cetacean by-catches in the fisheries identified as presenting a high risk where pelagic trawls or gill nets are used. In order to design more comprehensive strategies to protect small cetaceans from incidental catches in fishing gear, more information needs to be collected on the behavioural relationship between cetaceans and fisheries. For vessels under 15 metres, where the observer scheme cannot be applied for security or other reasons, Member States will have to devise alternative methods to monitor fishing activities and collect information.

  A Points

Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) n°850/98 as regards the protection of deep-water coral reefs from the effects of trawling in an area north-west of Scotland ("Darwin Mounds")

The Council adopted measures prohibiting the use of bottom trawls and similar fishing gear in an area around 180 km off the north-west coast of Scotland, known as the Darwin Mounds. This measure aims at protecting unique cold water corals which, according to scientific advice, are threatened by bottom trawling. Emergency measures to protect these reefs were put in place in August 2003 for an initial period of 6 months before being extended to August 2004. The present Regulation makes these measures permanent.

Council Regulations laying down certain technical measures and control measures applicable to fishing activities in the area covered by the Convention on the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources

Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an exchange of letters concerning the provisional application of the Protocol defining for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2008 the fishing opportunities and the financial contribution provided for in the Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Guinea on fishing off the Guinean coast

Food safety

Visit of M. Byrne to the USA

Commissioner Byrne informed the Ministers on the outcome of his visit to the United States on 18-19 March.

"The meetings with representatives of the administration were constructive and conducted in a positive spirit. During these meetings and in other contacts with the administration, I emphasised the need to improve the transatlantic dialogue on food safety issues. I see a need for a mindshift in our mutual approaches to these issues" M. Byrne said.

For the full text of the intervention of M. Byrne, see SPEECH/04/145.

Harmonisation in the internal market for plant protection products

Austria urged the Commission to take measures in order to centralise and simplify the authorisation procedure for plant protection products in the EU as there are still too many disparities as far as price and availability of products are concerned. A regional approach based on 3 zones was recommended.

M. Byrne replied that indeed the system needed to be changed and that the subsidiarity principle would be taken into account. Work would continue so that proposals could be presented by the end of the year.

Agriculture

Reform of tobacco, olive oil, cotton and hops

The Council held an orientation debate on the reform proposals. Mr. Fischler stressed the importance to reach political agreement at the next Council meeting on 19 and 20 April.

Negotiations Mercosur

Commissioner Fischler gave an update on the ongoing negotiations between the EU and Mercosur to establish a free trade agreement. As to agriculture, Mr Fischler underlined the good spirit of the meeting in Buenos Aires. "We agree that both sides will present improved offers. For sensitive farm products, the Commission will follow a "single pocket principle", which would give the Mercosur countries a certain market access, independent of the outcome of the Doha Development Agenda", he said.