§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the effect of Articles 89 and 118 in the Finnish and Swedish Accession Treaties to the European Communities, which describe the present European fishing arrangements as transitional and which herald the introduction of a permit system.
Lord LucasArticles 89 and 118 of the Finnish and Swedish Accession Treaty deal with the duration of the transitional access arrangements for Finland and Sweden which can end in one of two ways. The first is the possibility that a fishing permit system will be set up for fishing management affecting these countries. The second is that the transitional access arrangements lapse in any case at the end of 2002. These are alternative possibilities. They do not mean that permits must be introduced by 2002; nor does the wording create a legal obligation to introduce such a permit system. The effect of the provision is that, in the absence of agreement on the permit system described, the transitional access arrangements for Finland and Sweden would continue until the date laid down.
Council Regulations 3760/92 and 1627/94 already provide the framework for Community licence and permit systems to enable member states to regulate fishing activities. These are the basis for the detailed measures in western waters introduced on 1st January 1996 by means of Council Regulations 685/95 and 2027/95. The UK industry is therefore already familiar with these arrangements, which involve licences issued by UK fisheries departments. They do not entail a European fleet run from Brussels. A proposal from the Commission followed by the agreement of the council would be needed to extend such arrangements to other Community waters; for example, in connection with the ending of the transitional access arrangements for Finland and Sweden.