51998AC0297

Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the 'Proposal for a Council Regulation (EC) laying down the criteria and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the processing and marketing of its products (consolidated version)` (98/C 129/18)

On 24 February 1998 the Council of the European Union decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Articles 43 and 198 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Economic and Social Committee decided to appoint Mr Leif Nielsen as rapporteur-general.

At its 352nd plenary session on 25 and 26 February 1998 (meeting of 26 February), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 53 votes to one, with one abstention.

1. The Committee supports the Commission's proposal to consolidate the regulations laying down the criteria and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries and aquaculture sector and the processing and marketing of its products.

2. In this proposal the Commission combines the parent regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 3699/93) and the legislation amending it in a single text. No substantive amendments are proposed - only the formal amendments required for purposes of consolidation.

3. The Committee would point out that it has repeatedly called for Community legislation to be consolidated because this is important to make the Community fisheries policy clear and intelligible to those actively involved in this sector.

Brussels, 26 February 1998.

The President of the Economic and Social Committee

Tom JENKINS