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Document 52020PC0582
Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Liberia
Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Liberia
Recommendation for a COUNCIL DECISION authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Liberia
COM/2020/582 final
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels, 25.9.2020
COM(2020) 582 final
Recommendation for a
COUNCIL DECISION
authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Liberia
{SWD(2020) 196 final} - {SWD(2020) 197 final}
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1.CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL
•Reasons for and objectives of the proposal
The Commission proposes to negotiate a new protocol that meets the actual possibilities and needs of the Member States fleet and is in line with Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy and the 19 March 2012 Council Conclusions on a Communication from the Commission on the External dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy.
•Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area
The European Union and the Government of the Republic of Liberia have concluded a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement 1 effective from 9 December 2015 2 . Its implementing protocol will expire on 8 December 2020. This Protocol fixes the fishing opportunities provided to the Union fleet and the corresponding financial contribution paid by the Union and the ship-owners.
The Protocol provides for EUR 357 500 for the first year, EUR 325 000 for the second, third and fourth year, and of EUR 292 500 for the fifth year, from the EU budget as financial compensation for access for a reference tonnage of 6 500 t/year. In addition, EU ship-owners pay authorisation fees based on prices set in the Protocol for the quota allocated. On top of that, EUR 1 625 000 are also provided from the EU budget to support the Republic of Liberia sectoral fisheries policy for the five-year duration of the Protocol.
The SFPA with the Republic of Liberia provides fishing opportunities targeting tuna and highly migratory species for EU vessels from two Member States (Spain and France). The SFPA with the Republic of Liberia is part of a well developed network of bilateral SFPAs in western and central Africa, namely with Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Cabo Verde, The Gambia, Côte d’Ivoire and São Tomé and Principe.
SFPAs contribute to promote the objectives of the CFP internationally, ensuring that Union fishing activities outside Union waters are based on the same principles and standards as those applicable under Union law. In addition, SFPAs foster scientific cooperation between the EU and its partners, promote transparency and sustainability for a better management of fishing resources. SFPAs encourage governance by supporting monitoring, control and surveillance of national and foreign fleets' activities and providing funding to fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and contribute to the sustainable development of local fishing sector.
SFPAs strengthen the European Union’s position as a member of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), the body set up under international law for conserving and managing highly migratory species in the region.
• Consistency with other Union policies
The negotiation of a new protocol with the Republic of Liberia is in line with the EU’s external action towards African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, and in particular with the Union objectives regarding the respect of democratic principles, human rights.
2.LEGAL BASIS, SUBSIDIARITY AND PROPORTIONALITY
•Legal basis
The legal basis for the decision is provided by Article 218(3) and (4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), in Part Five on the Union’s external action, Title V on international agreements, which sets out the procedure for negotiating and concluding agreements between the EU and third countries.
•Subsidiarity (for non-exclusive competence)
Not applicable, exclusive competence.
•Proportionality
The decision is proportional to the objective.
•Choice of the instrument
The instrument is provided for under Article 218(3) and Article 218(4) of the TFEU.
3.RESULTS OF EX-POST EVALUATIONS, STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS
•Ex-post evaluations/fitness checks of existing legislation
The Commission carried out in 2019-2020 an ex-post evaluation of the current protocol to the SFPA EU/Liberia as well as an ex-ante evaluation of a possible renewal of the protocol. The conclusions of the evaluation are set out in a separate Staff Working Document 3 .
The evaluation concluded that the EU fishing industry (tuna species) is firmly interested in operating in Liberia’s fishing zone and that the renewal of the Protocol clearly appears as the preferred option. A non-renewal would deprive the EU of an instrument capable of responding to the needs of the various stakeholders, and to its own needs in terms of strengthening the global governance of the oceans in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean through the ICCAT multilateral framework.
For Liberia, the EU intervention adds value in terms of a multiannual certainty of budget income, an official platform for sectoral dialogue and direct exchanges with the EU, in terms of cooperation and a framework for joint monitoring and control of EU activities. The SFPA contribute to the promotion of responsible fishing practices, and gives access to a dedicated budget line (sectoral support) for financial support to implementation of national fisheries policy by Liberia.
•Stakeholder consultations
Member States, industry representatives, international civil society organisations, as well as Liberia’s fisheries administration and civil society, have been consulted as part of the evaluation. Consultations have also taken place in the framework of the Long Distance Advisory Council.
•Collection and use of expertise
Not applicable.
•Impact assessment
Not applicable.
•Regulatory fitness and simplification
Not applicable.
•Fundamental rights
A clause on the consequences of violations of human rights and democratic principles is included in the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement.
4.BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS
The budgetary implications connected with the new Protocol include the payment of a financial contribution to Liberia, which is compatible with the current Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), in particular as regards allocations to the budget line 4 for Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements. The annual amounts for commitments and payments are established in the yearly budgetary procedure, including the reserve line for proposals not entered into force at the beginning of the year.
5.OTHER ELEMENTS
•Implementation plans and monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements
On 23 May 2017, the Republic of Liberia was notified of the possibility of being identified as a non-cooperating third country in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by Commission Decision 2017/C 169/12 5 under Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Negotiations for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Liberia will only start once Commission Decision 2017/C 169/12 is reversed.
•Detailed explanation of the specific provisions of the proposal
The Commission recommends that:
- The Council should authorise the Commission to open and conduct negotiations for the conclusion of a new protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Liberia;
- The Commission should be nominated as the EU negotiator on this subject;
- The Commission should conduct the negotiations in consultation with the special committee, as set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union;
- The Council should approve the negotiating directives annexed to this recommendation.
Recommendation for a
COUNCIL DECISION
authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Liberia
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 218(3) and (4) thereof,
Having regard to the recommendation from the European Commission,
Whereas:
(1)Negotiations should be opened with a view to concluding a new protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Liberia 6 .
(2)On 23 May 2017, the Republic of Liberia was notified of the possibility of being identified as a non-cooperating third country in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by Commission Decision 2017/C 169/12 under Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Negotiations for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Liberia will only start once Commission Decision 2017/C 169/12 7 , is reversed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Commission is hereby authorised to negotiate on behalf of the Union a new protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Liberia.
These negotiations shall be opened by the Commission after reversal of Decision 2017/C 169/12.
Article 2
The negotiating directives are set out in the Annex.
Article 3
The negotiations shall be conducted in consultation with the Council Working Party on External Fisheries Policy.
Article 4
This Decision is addressed to the Commission.
Done at Brussels,
For the Council
The President
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Brussels, 25.9.2020
COM(2020) 582 final
ANNEX
to the Recommendation for a
COUNCIL DECISION
authorising the opening of negotiations on behalf of the European Union for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Liberia
{SWD(2020) 196 final} - {SWD(2020) 197 final}
ANNEX
Directives for the negotiation of new protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of Liberia
The objective of the negotiations is the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Liberia, in line with Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council 1 and with the Council Conclusions of 19 March 2012 2 on the Commission Communication of 13 July 2011 on the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy 3 .
With a view to ensuring, through this new Protocol, the promotion of sustainable and responsible fishing, the Commission's negotiation objectives shall be based on the following:
·Ensure access to the fishing zone of the Republic of Liberia and the necessary authorisations for vessels of the Union fleet to carry out fishing activities in that zone;
·Duly take into account the best available scientific advice and relevant management plans adopted by Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMO), in order to ensure and enhance the environmental sustainability of fishing activities, directed exclusively at available surplus resources, taking into account the local fleet's fishing capacity, while paying special attention to the shared nature of the stocks concerned;
·Seek an appropriate share of the fisheries resources, commensurate with the Union fleets' interests, when they also interest other foreign fleets;
·Ensure that access to fisheries is based on the historical and the expected future activity of the Union fleet in the region, in the light of the most updated and best available scientific assessments;
·Continue dialogue in order to reinforce sectoral policy with a view to encouraging the implementation of a responsible fisheries policy that is environmentally and socially responsible, in connection with the country's development objectives - in particular as regards the governance, follow-up, control and monitoring of fishing activities and scientific advice - and taking into account the livelihood and interests of local fishing communities;
·Include a clause on the consequences of violations of human rights, fundamental labour rights and democratic principles;
In particular, the Protocol should define:
–the fishing opportunities, by category, to be granted to Union vessels,
–the financial compensation and the conditions for its payment, and
–the mechanisms for implementing sectoral support.
On 23 May 2017, the Republic of Liberia was notified of the possibility of being identified as a non-cooperating third country in fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by Commission Decision 2017/C 169/12 4 under Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Negotiations for the conclusion of a protocol to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of the Republic of Liberia, in line with Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 will only start once Commission Decision 2017/C 169/12 is reversed.
