At its session on 22 November 1999, the Council, while it approved the main lines of the regulation, focused on the thorny question of sharing of burdens and costs between the Commission and Member States for the implementation of regulatory measures adopted bu regional fisheries organisations.
Contrary to the system operating in the NAFO (North§West Atlantic Fisheries Organisation) where control and enforcement are financed from the Community budget, the Commission proposes that Member States shoulder the burden of implementing the NEAFC scheme (provision of inspector and inspection vessels, cover of investment and running costs, etc.).
As a large number of delegations were opposed to this solution, it was decided to only make the measures regarding inspection and control applicable for the year 2000.
The key question of burden sharing and allocation of resources will be dealt with in the context of a new proposal that the Commission will present by September 2000 which will seek to find a permanent solution to this problem.�