Author (Person) | Bower, Helen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Publisher | ProQuest Information and Learning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series Title | In Focus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Series Details | 23.4.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publication Date | 23/04/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Content Type | News, Overview, Topic Guide | In Focus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In response to the problem of over-exploitation of fishing resources worldwide, the European Union tabled a proposal to the World Trade Organisation on 22 April 2003, calling for a ban on all subsidies that cause overcapacity in the fisheries sector. The proposal aims to ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector worldwide by eliminating sector specific subsidies that have over time created overcapacity in the fisheries sector, which could not be matched by available resources. Specifically, the European Union is proposing the prohibition of capacity enhancing subsidies, namely:
However, the EU recognises that certain subsidies have a plosive effect by encouraging the reduction of fishing capacity and by allowing people employed in the fisheries sector to find employment elsewhere. Therefore, the EU has outlined a number of subsidies that it argues should be permitted. These include:
The European Union also recognises in the proposal the particular concerns of developing countries and therefore calls for specific provisions to be included to allow these WTO members to achieve legitimate development goals. The question of the interaction between fisheries subsidies and fisheries management regimes was discussed by WTO members at the Fourth Ministerial Conference in Doha in 2001 as part of the negotiations on 'WTO Rules' (anti-dumping, subsidies and regional trade agreements). Member States agreed to clarify and improve WTO disciplines on fishing subsidies in response to the dangerously low levels of certain fish stocks worldwide. According to the World Bank, global fisheries subsidies vary between $14 to $20 billion which would approximate 20% to 25% of turnover in this sector. Commenting on the EU's proposal, Pascal Lamy, European Commissioner for Trade and Development, said:
The ban of all subsidies that enhance fishing capacity is an integral part of the EU's internal reform of its Common Fisheries Policy, which was presented in December 2002. The reform of the CFP aims to conserve fish stocks, protect the marine environment, ensure the economic viability of the European fleets and provide good quality food to consumers.
Helen Bower Compiled: Wednesday, 23 April 2003 Background and reporting on the week's main stories in the European Union and the wider Europe. |
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Subject Categories | Business and Industry, Trade |
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