§ Lord Hogg of Cumbernauldasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the outcome of the Fisheries Council held in Luxembourg on 22 October. [HL3625]
§ Lord DonoughueMy honourable friend the Parliamentary Secretary represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Fisheries Council in Luxembourg on 22 October together with my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Scottish Office, Mr. MacDonald.
Major progress was made towards agreeing measures to amend the fisheries control regulation, paving the way for their formal adoption by the end of the year. The proposals are aimed at strengthening control arrangements throughout the fisheries sector, including the more effective monitoring of third country vessels operating in Community waters, improved transparency of enforcement activity, a stronger role for Commission inspectors, and increased co-operation among member states. Importantly, my honourable friend the Parliamentary Secretary was able to secure agreement that member states may apply national designated port controls to all vessels landing into their territory along with more rigorous Community requirements for vessels landing abroad where designated port arrangements do not operate.
Political agreement was reached on supplementary measures which may be introduced in those member 79WA states affected by the decision at the June Fisheries Council to phase out the use of high seas drift nets. Such measures must be confined to fishermen who suffer a real loss as a result of the drift net ban. They are additional to the options already available under existing structural provisions. A decision will be taken on implementation in the UK after consultations with the fishermen concerned.
The Council had an exchange of views on the future of structural policies in the fisheries sector in the context of proposals tabled by the Commission in March for reform of the EU Structural Funds within the framework of Agenda 2000. Discussion focused in particular on the need for simplification of procedures and for an appropriate balance between measures to achieve restructuring of national fleets and those specific to regional programmes. The Presidency will be reporting these concerns to the General Affairs Council, which is responsible for taking decisions on the Agenda 2000
80WA
PBR/NL* Application Number Species Date of NL and PBR Application NL/PBR Applicant DETR Release Consent Ref. (and holder if different from PBR applicant) and date granted 35/959 Oilseed Rape 14/12/95 Plant Genetics, Belgium 95/R15/15—Application 20/11/95. Granted—3/1/96 35/960 Oilseed Rape 14/12/95 Plant Genetics, Belgium 95/R15/15—Application 20/11/95. Granted—3/1/96 35/1174 Oilseed Rape 28/8/97 Plant Genetics, Belgium 97/R15/20—Application 9/6/97. Granted 1/8/97 35/1175 Oilseed Rape 28/8/97 Plant Genetics, Belgium 97/R15/20—Application 9/6/97. Granted 1/8/97 35/1205 Oilseed Rape 12/12/97 Calgene Inc, USA 97/R28/2—(Kings)—Application 21/10/97. Granted 19/3/98 35/1206 Oilseed Rape 12/12/97 Calgene Inc, USA 97/R28/2—(Kings)—Application 21/10/97. Granted 19/3/98 35/1210 Oilseed Rape 12/1/98 Plant Genetics, Belgium 97/R15/23—Application 8/12/97. Granted 19/3/98 35/1211 Oilseed Rape 12/1/98 Plant Genetics, Belgium 97/R15/23—Application 8/12/97. Granted 19/3/98 * PBR = plant breeders' rights NL = national list framework. However, the Fisheries Council will itself return to the subject in the context of a further proposal expected from the European Commission shortly which will set out the detailed proposals for fisheries structural measures.