Press Release: Less pressure on 2006 December Fisheries Council: Commission proposes new timetable for earlier consultation

The European Commission published on 24 May 2006 a Communication on improving consultation on EU fisheries management. It proposes a number of significant changes to the way the annual Council regulation on fishing opportunities is prepared. Hitherto the Commission’s proposal, prepared on the basis of scientific advice received in late October, is not tabled until beginning of December with the decision taken before Christmas. In future, the Commission plans to table its proposals for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for those stocks for which scientific advice is available early in the year by September. For all stocks which are subject to annual quotas, the Commission will present a policy statement in April each year outlining the main principles which it intends to apply. Together, these changes will create the basis for a more comprehensive dialogue between the Commission and its partners, while respecting the need to set TACs for certain particularly vulnerable species in the light of information which is only available in the latter part of the year.

• Primary Source

European Commission: Prelex: COM(2006)246 http://ec.europa.eu/prelex/detail_dossier.cfm?CL=en&ReqId=0&DocType=COM&DocYear=2006&DocNum=246

European Commission: COM (2006)246 http://ec.europa.eu/comm/fisheries/doc_et_publ/factsheets/legal_texts/docscom/en/com_06_246_en.pdf

European Commission: DG Fisheries and Maritime Affairs: Press Release, 24.5.06 http://ec.europa.eu/comm/fisheries/news_corner/press/inf06_23_en.htm

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