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WRITTEN QUESTION E-2743/02
by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission
(19 September 2002)
Subject: Fishing industry earnings
Can the Commission provide assurances that it has fully assessed the
socio-economic impact of its proposed reform of the common fisheries
policy and its proposal in relation to the regulation of deep-sea
fisheries? Is the Commission fully aware of the economic hardship faced by
fishermen and the fishing industry in general and that the introduction by
the Commission of measures which are not based on verifiable up-to-date
scientific information, as has recently been witnessed in the regulation
of deep-sea fisheries and the proposals for open access in the North Sea,
will lead only to a total loss of confidence in the EU fisheries
management regime by the very people responsible for its implementation?
Is the Commission aware that Scottish
fishermen's earnings have plunged in three years to less than one third of
the 1998 estimate for the worst hit industry sector? Over that period,
vessel earnings fell 25%, with a slight increase in prices being
overwhelmed by a major loss of landings. The average fall in net profits
was estimated at 75%, with net profits falling as a percentage of income
from 18 to 10%.
The loss of earnings has led to crewing
problems for two thirds of vessels which experienced difficulties
recruiting experienced hands. The lack of confidence in the future of
fishing has also meant an ageing workforce, with only 37 per cent of
fishermen being below 30, with a resulting impact on safety and
threatening the very future of fisheries-dependent communities.
Can the Commission ensure that the
socio-economic consequences of its policies are fully assessed prior to
their implementation?
E-2743/02EN
Answer given by Mr Fischler
on behalf of the Commission
(24 October 2002)
In response to the Honourable Member's questions concerning the
socio-economic aspects of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP)
it should be noted that the decrease in earnings of fishermen and the
difficulties in recruiting crews are a consequence and result of
overfishing and a decline in fish stocks. A growing number of fish stocks
are on the verge of collapse due to too much fishing by a fleet that is
far too large for the available fish. The proposed reform of the CFP sets
out to address these problems. It should deliver biological, economic and
social sustainability.
The Commission is well aware that restructuring of the sector may have a
cost in terms of jobs. Funding to help fishermen take early retirement or
train to enable them to work outside the fishing industry is already
eligible for grant aid from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries
Guidance.
As part of the 'road map' towards reform of the CFP, the Commission has
made a commitment to publish, before the end of 2002, an Action Plan to
counter the social, economic and regional consequences of restructuring of
the Community fishing fleet. It has indicated that this plan would be
based on bilateral consultations with Member States to assess the likely
socio-economic impacts of fishing effort limitation schemes.
A round of bilateral meetings has already taken place and the Action Plan
is likely to be presented to the Council and Parliament around the end of
October 2002.
Also, concerning the Proposal for a Regulation on deep sea fisheries
referred to by the Honourable Member, the Commission took account of the
historical data before preparing it and as a consequence reflects the
previous earnings of fishermen. |
