Fishery and aquaculture products: common organisation of the market COM

In adopting the report drafted by Mrs. Carmen FRAGA ESTEVEZ (EPP/ED, E), the European Parliament seeks to improve information to the consumer and to facilitate inspections by making it compulsory to indicate in respect of each product the commercial designation, the production method (including the gear type used), the minimum legal size in the catch area, the calibre, the catch area and the origin of the product (farmed or caught in Community fisheries or imported from a third country). The Parliament is in favour of the extension of operational programmes to aquaculture products. It also called for the Member States to be able to grant additional aids to producers organisations that, in the context of these operational programmes, develop measures to enhance the value of the species caught and to adjust supply to demand. As far as the Parliament is concerned, no financial compensation shall be granted in respect of quantities withdrawn exceeding 10% of the quantities withdrawn exceeding 10% of the quantities put up for sale by each producer organisation (the Commission proposed 8%). As far as the compensatory allowance for tuna is concerned, the Parliament set the triggering threshold at 91% of the Community producer price (as opposed to 85% proposed by the Commission). With regard to trade with third countries, the Parliament proposes that the Council, acting by a qualified majority and on proposal from the Commission, decide the total or partial suspension of common customs tariff duties. Lastly, the Parliament approves the annual fixing of reference prices by product category valid for the Community with a view to preventing disturbances arising from supplies from third countries at abnormal prices or in conditions liable to jeopardise the stabilisation measures.�