Common fisheries policy after 2002: meetings at regional level in 1998-1999. Report

The committee adopted the report by Bernard POIGNANT (PES, F) on the Commission report on the future of the CFP. In the light of the consultations the Commission had held at regional level with interested parties for the purposes of drawing up its report, the committee listed various issues which would need to be reviewed as part of the overhaul of the CFP. These included the derogation on access to resources for the 6/12-mile zone and the continuation of access restrictions, e.g. to the Shetland Box and the North Sea. As regards the TACs and quotas, the committee favoured a continuation of the current system but stressed that the possibility of establishing variants of individual quotas should not be overlooked. It also backed the Commission's wish to extend the fourth Multiannual Guidance Programme (POP IV) until the end of 2002 but called for a fresh census to be made of fishing vessels in the Community. �