Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1139 as regards the introduction of capacity limits for Eastern Baltic cod, data collection and control measures in the Baltic Sea, and Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 as regards permanent cessation for fleets fishing for Eastern Baltic cod - General Approach - Main contents

Document date	12-12-2019
Publication date	13-12-2019
Reference	14990/19
From	Presidency
External link	original article
Original document in PDF

Council of the European Union Brussels, 12 December 2019 (OR. en)

14990/19

Interinstitutional File: 2019/0246(COD)

PECHE 547 CODEC 1755

NOTE

From: Presidency

To: Council

Subject: Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND

OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1139 as regards the introduction of capacity limits for Eastern Baltic cod, data collection and control measures in the Baltic Sea, and Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 as regards permanent cessation for fleets fishing for Eastern Baltic cod - General Approach

• 1. 

  On 31 October 2019, the Commission submitted to the European Parliament and to the Council the above-mentioned proposal, aiming at amending the Baltic Sea Multi-Annual Plan 1 and the

  European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) regulation 2 , in particular to allow for permanent cessation to be used to scrap vessels targeting Eastern Baltic cod. The proposal was submitted by the Commission following Council Decision in October to close the Eastern Baltic cod fishery and to significantly reduce other fisheries linked to cod.

• 2. 

  The Working Party on Internal and External Fisheries discussed the proposal on 7 November

  2019 and 14 November 2019.

1 Regulation (EU) 2016/1139

2 Regulation (EU) 508/2014

• 3. 

  Based on the discussion in the Working Party and delegations' written comments, the

  Presidency tabled an initial compromise proposal on 22 November 2019, and subsequent revised compromises on 4 and 5 December 2019.

• 4. 

  In light of additional written comments by delegations, the Presidency tabled a final Presidency compromise on 5 December 2019, contained in doc. 14802/19. This compromise aims at

  extending the scope of the original proposal to include two other stocks, Western Baltic cod and Western Baltic herring, in order for vessels targeting these two stocks to apply for permanent cessation. The Presidency compromise also intends to simplify the Commission proposal by removing additional administrative burden and control measures.

• 5. 

  At the Working Party meeting on 5 December 2019, whilst still raising several specific issues, a majority of Baltic Member States (DE, DK, EE, LT, PL, SE) expressed their positive views on the Presidency compromise. Whilst acknowledging positive changes to the Commission

  proposal, LV called for the adjustment of the Presidency compromise to include additional provisions to better support the sector. A majority of delegations supported the revised Presidency compromise.

• 6. 

  DK entered parliamentary and scrutiny reservations, and AT entered a scrutiny reservation.

• 7. 

  The Commission representative stated that it would not be in a position to support the compromise.

• 8. 

  On 11 December, the Committee of Permanent Representatives examined the final Presidency compromise as set out in document 14802/19. Whilst a majority of delegations expressed their support on the compromise, two delegations (LT, LV) pointed out that the compromise could be improved, notably to increase flexibility for temporary cessation. LV stated that it could not

  fully support the compromise at this stage. AT announced the submission of a statement to be included in the meeting minutes 3 . The Commission representative reiterated its position.

3 cf. doc. 14990/19 ADD 1

• 9. 

  The Committee of Permanent Representatives confirmed its support to the final Presidency compromise and agreed to submit it to the Council for adoption of a General Approach at its session on 16-17 December 2019.

• 10. 

  The Council is therefore invited to agree on the General Approach as set out in doc. 14802/19 with a view to starting negotiations with the European Parliament.

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