51998AP0045

A4-0045/98

Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean (COM(97)0459 - C4-0510/97 - 97/0237(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 1a (new)

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>Text following EP vote>

Whereas one of the priorities of the Council is the phasing out of driftnets;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 1b (new)

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>Text following EP vote>

Whereas fish stocks in the Mediterranean are being depleted as a result of the activities of fishing vessels from third countries;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 3a (new)

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Whereas, in addition to the technical recommendations detailed above, the ICCAT has also recommended an embargo on tuna imports from Honduras and Belize with effect from 4 August 1997 and those from Panama with effect from 1 January 1998; whereas neither recommendation has yet been incorporated into Community law; whereas EU Member States which are also members of the ICCAT will therefore not be inclined to follow the latter's recommendations;

(Amendment 4)

ARTICLE 1(1a)(new)

Article 3b (new) (Regulation (EC) No 1626/94)

>Original text>

>Text following EP vote>

1a. The following Article 3b shall be inserted:

'Article 3b

The transshipment at sea of species regulated by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) to or from fishing vessels or factory vessels from Member States of the Community from or to vessels which do not belong to contracting or cooperating parties to that organization shall be prohibited.'

(Amendment 5)

ARTICLE 1a (new)

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>Text following EP vote>

Article 1a

The Commission shall submit immediately a proposal for a Regulation embodying the ICCAT recommendations concerning an embargo on tuna imports from Honduras, Belize and Panama.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1626/94 laying down certain technical measures for the conservation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean (COM(97)0459 - C4-0510/97 - 97/0237(CNS))(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(97)0459 - 97/0237(CNS) ((OJ C 337, 7.11.1997, p. 36.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 43 of the EC Treaty (C4-0510/97),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A4-0045/98),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.