Press Release: Commission: Court of Auditors report strengthens the case for a reform of fisheries control

The European Commission today welcomed the report published by the Court of Auditors on data collection, control and enforcement under the The European Commission welcomed the report published by the Court of Auditors on data collection, control and enforcement under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The Commission had already decided that the review of the CFP control legal framework would be a strategic priority of it 2008 Work Programme, and the Court’s report strengthens the case for a major reform of control policy under the CFP. The Court conducted an extensive audit in these areas, which covered both the Commission's own functions, and the way in which CFP rules are implemented by the fisheries management authorities in six Member States (Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom). CFP control, data collection and enforcement mechanisms are implemented in Member States within a framework laid down at EU level. The Court found substantial weaknesses in these areas, which it concluded were sufficient to jeopardise the proper functioning of a fisheries management policy based on catch limitations. The Commission broadly agrees with the conclusions of the Court, which support its position that the 2002 Reform of the CFP has not gone far enough in these areas. The Commission has already proposed legislation which should resolve some of the problems which the Court highlights, in particular in the field of data collection. The Commission now looks forward to working with the Member States and all stakeholders to address the outstanding issues, and to ensure that the CFP provides a truly sustainable framework for European fisheries.). The Commission had already decided that the review of the CFP control legal framework would be a strategic priority of it 2008 Work Programme, and the Court’s report strengthens the case for a major reform of control policy under the CFP. The Commission now looks forward to working with the Member States and all stakeholders to address the outstanding issues, and to ensure that the CFP provides a truly sustainable framework for European fisheries.

European Commission: MEMO/07/552: Court of Auditors' Report on the control, inspection and sanction systems of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/552&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

---