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Europe split over fish discards ban Europe split over fish discards ban
(7 months later)
EU fishing reform campaigners have urged the Government to stand firmly behind a blanket ban on dumping dead fish back in the sea amid signs of deep differences at talks in Brussels.EU fishing reform campaigners have urged the Government to stand firmly behind a blanket ban on dumping dead fish back in the sea amid signs of deep differences at talks in Brussels.
Earlier this month MEPs overwhelmingly backed the biggest-ever Common Fisheries Policy reforms, crucially including an end to so-called "discards" – a consequence of current CFP quota rules restricting the size of catches.Earlier this month MEPs overwhelmingly backed the biggest-ever Common Fisheries Policy reforms, crucially including an end to so-called "discards" – a consequence of current CFP quota rules restricting the size of catches.
The issue galvanised wide UK support when celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall launched a "Discards Campaign" which has so far attracted more than 850,000 signatures on a petition condemning the throwing away of perfectly edible fish to avoid breaching limits.The issue galvanised wide UK support when celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall launched a "Discards Campaign" which has so far attracted more than 850,000 signatures on a petition condemning the throwing away of perfectly edible fish to avoid breaching limits.
EU fisheries commissioner Maria Damanaki - who once admitted the CFP was "broken" - says the discards system means almost one quarter of all fish caught in European waters is being dumped at sea. But the CFP reform package is not a done deal until a final three-way negotiation involving MEPs, the Commission and EU fisheries ministers.EU fisheries commissioner Maria Damanaki - who once admitted the CFP was "broken" - says the discards system means almost one quarter of all fish caught in European waters is being dumped at sea. But the CFP reform package is not a done deal until a final three-way negotiation involving MEPs, the Commission and EU fisheries ministers.
And talks over discards looked set to continue into the night between the fisheries ministers amid splits over how far reforms should go.And talks over discards looked set to continue into the night between the fisheries ministers amid splits over how far reforms should go.
UK fisheries minister Richard Benyon joined his German, Danish, Swedish, Austrian, Dutch and Hungarian counterparts in backing MEPs on a total discards ban, but Greenpeace voiced concern that the UK might be ready to compromise and allow some exemptions to the rule if necessary to win a ministerial consensus ahead of the three-way meeting.UK fisheries minister Richard Benyon joined his German, Danish, Swedish, Austrian, Dutch and Hungarian counterparts in backing MEPs on a total discards ban, but Greenpeace voiced concern that the UK might be ready to compromise and allow some exemptions to the rule if necessary to win a ministerial consensus ahead of the three-way meeting.
Greenpeace oceans campaigner Willie Mackenzie said: "It's time for the UK minister to come out in defence of the reform approved by a clear majority of UK MEPs in a landmark vote earlier this month: a new fisheries policy that stamps out the shockingly wasteful practice of discards, gives a fair deal to those who fish sustainably, and saves our seas from reckless exploitation."Greenpeace oceans campaigner Willie Mackenzie said: "It's time for the UK minister to come out in defence of the reform approved by a clear majority of UK MEPs in a landmark vote earlier this month: a new fisheries policy that stamps out the shockingly wasteful practice of discards, gives a fair deal to those who fish sustainably, and saves our seas from reckless exploitation."
Biggest resistance to fisheries reforms on the scale demanded by MEPs came from France, Portugal and Spain, who Mackenzie said "still stubbornly oppose progress" despite "an increasingly stiff wind of change for an ambitious fisheries reform".Biggest resistance to fisheries reforms on the scale demanded by MEPs came from France, Portugal and Spain, who Mackenzie said "still stubbornly oppose progress" despite "an increasingly stiff wind of change for an ambitious fisheries reform".
A compromise plan under which "discards" of plentiful fish stocks would be allowed, was at the heart of divisions expected to keep the ministers up late.A compromise plan under which "discards" of plentiful fish stocks would be allowed, was at the heart of divisions expected to keep the ministers up late.
Under the plan the remaining partial ban would be postponed by at least a year, delaying the start of its step-by-step introduction next year. Tonight the European Commission and MEPs - who have increased clout over fisheries policy - signalled such a move would be unacceptable.Under the plan the remaining partial ban would be postponed by at least a year, delaying the start of its step-by-step introduction next year. Tonight the European Commission and MEPs - who have increased clout over fisheries policy - signalled such a move would be unacceptable.
Socialist MEP Ulrike Rodust, leading negotiations for the European Parliament, said: "Some member states are trying to push the Irish presidency to include more loopholes in the text they agreed last June. The Council is going in the wrong direction. It is moving further and further away from the ambitious European Parliament's vote earlier this month.Socialist MEP Ulrike Rodust, leading negotiations for the European Parliament, said: "Some member states are trying to push the Irish presidency to include more loopholes in the text they agreed last June. The Council is going in the wrong direction. It is moving further and further away from the ambitious European Parliament's vote earlier this month.
"EU fisheries ministers should remember that a wide majority has voted for a discard ban without any exemptions. We are willing to find a reasonable compromise, but I think it will be difficult to accept a text which would allow throwing back certain species of unwanted fish overboard without any limitations at all"."EU fisheries ministers should remember that a wide majority has voted for a discard ban without any exemptions. We are willing to find a reasonable compromise, but I think it will be difficult to accept a text which would allow throwing back certain species of unwanted fish overboard without any limitations at all".
Ireland, holding the EU presidency for the first half of this year, has vowed to agree the fisheries reform plan by the end of June.Ireland, holding the EU presidency for the first half of this year, has vowed to agree the fisheries reform plan by the end of June.
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