Common fisheries policy within an enlarged Community
- Author(s):
- Parliamentary Assembly
- Origin
- Assembly debate on 26 January 1972 (24th and 25th Sittings) (see Doc. 3081, report of the Committee on Agriculture). Text adopted by the Assembly on 26 January 1972 (25th Sitting).
The Assembly,
1. Noting the common fisheries policy adopted by the European Communities since 1970, and the recent agreement concluded in this field by the Community with the new member countries ;
2. Considering the important, sometimes vital role played by the fishing industry in the economy and in the social life of the four applicant countries, in particular with regard to population settlement requirements ;
3. Recognising the common interest in securing adequate future supplies of fish and fish products to the European market ;
4. Respecting the principle of non-discrimination in the fisheries sector as well as in the other "agricultural" sectors ;
5. Considering, nevertheless, that the present Community regulations in this sector should be adapted in the context of the enlargement of the Community in order to take into account the specific and vital interests of certain new member countries ;
6. Considering the difficulties involved in forecasting at present the full consequences of the enlargement of the market for fish and fish-based products ;
7. Aware of the fact that certain regions, and in the case of Norway a whole country, will continue to have special problems with regard to fisheries policies, and that, in such cases, particular arrangements should be made before the end of the 10-year transitional period ;
8. Welcoming the decision that the Commission of the European Communities will draw up before the end of the transitional period a detailed report on the situation of fishermen and fish trade within the member countries, with a view to lay down a definite agreement on common fisheries rules, which takes into account the lessons to be drawn from the experience of the enlarged Community,
9. Is of the opinion that the modified or amended regulations should :
9.1 contribute to preserve the fish-resources, by protecting them against over-fishing and pollution of the sea ;
9.2 safeguard as far as possible the economic and social interests of the new member countries, and in particular the population settlement requirements in the northern regions ;
9.3 take into consideration the possibility of a market organisation for frozen fish for human consumption ;
9.4 maintain sufficient flexibility in order to enable the Community to cope with problems that are likely to arise in the fisheries sector in the future ;
9.5 lead to good relations between the Community and those European fishery nations, such as Iceland, that do not intend to apply for membership, but seek to co-operate with the Community in the form of special agreements on trade and tariffs.
