|
20 January, 2010
 THE
NEW European fisheries commissioner designate, Maria
Damanaki, has already been invited to Scotland to see first
hand the failings of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
The Greek politician, who has been recommended by the
Commission to manage fisheries, yesterday (Tuesday) attended
a three hour grilling by the European Parliament's fisheries
committee.
Afterwards Scottish MEPs from all sides of the political
spectrum said they were impressed by Ms Damanaki's
performance and her grasp of the complex management issues.
If she becomes a commissioner later this year she will
oversee the forthcoming reform of European fisheries policy.
SNP president Ian Hudghton MEP said that whilst he was
impressed by Ms Damanaki's willingness to engage fully with
members of the committee, he expressed concerns that some of
her statements showed a lack of awareness as to the extent
of the CFP's failings.
"Ms Damanaki was competent, well-briefed and seemed
genuinely willing to engage in the debate on the future of
fisheries management. Assuming she is confirmed in post,
this attitude will be most welcome. I also welcome her
comment today on CFP reform, when she said that ‘the whole
policy is up for discussion’. |
"I have invited Ms
Damanaki to come to Scotland at the earliest possible
opportunity to see first hand the efforts of the Scottish
fleet," he said.
Tory MEP Struan Stevenson added that she will be a competent
commissioner.
"I was impressed with Mrs Damanaki's broad grasp of the
complex fisheries brief. Her performance during three
intensive hours of examination was intelligent and
articulate. She will be a highly competent commissioner," he
said.
During the debate Ms Damanaki said: "We are not discussing
giving back powers to the member states, but that does not
rule out involving them in day to day implementation of our
management policies.
"We need tailor-made solutions for special sea-basins. If we
are to avoid micro-management from the centre and
'one-size-fits-all' policies, then tailor-made solutions are
the answer, but I appreciate that this will be a difficult
journey if we are to achieve a fishery that is sustainable
environmentally, economically and socially."
She went on to rule out any return to subsidised 'new-build'
for fishing vessels, although financial assistance for
modernisation would be allowed.
She added that there will be no question of
re-nationalisation of the CFP under her term in office, but
that replacing TACs and quotas with an effort-reduction
system (days at sea) across the whole of the EU would not be
easy.
"It might be appropriate in some fisheries, but not all",
she said. |
