Allister speaks in Strasbourg on fishing package
10 July 2008
Speaking in the European Parliament on the Commission's emergency aid package for fishing, Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister said while there were useful measures within it, his abiding concern related to the all-important issue of delivery and whether the UK would avail of the package.
In the course of his remarks Mr Allister said:-
"How, Commissioner, do we assure across the EU that these measures do not induce some distortion in competition? Not arising out of anything the Commission may do, but arising from the fact that it is a reality that some Member States are much more enthusiastic about public expenditure and reaching out to help sectors than other Member States, and where there is reticence in some and enthusiasm in others, will there not be an uneven application and drawdown of these measures, with a potential impact on competition?
How will you monitor that? Indeed, will you monitor it, and what action will you take if distortion results?
My second issue is also somewhat parochial and focuses particularly on the fleet adaptation scheme. Within that, you anticipate special support measures, on condition that the scheme brings about a permanent reduction of 30% in a fleet’s capacity.
Take the United Kingdom, Commissioner. There we have three of the constituent countries: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where fishing is a devolved issue, with devolved governments making the decisions. It is entirely conceivable that any one of them could come up with a fleet adjustment scheme for their own region whereby fleet capacity would be reduced by 30%. But taken across the whole United Kingdom, because others drag their feet, that may not produce 30% reduction overall.
Is that fair? Are there any steps that the Commission can take to alleviate that unfairness? In short, can the Commission look at any steps to deal with that potential inequity in countries where there are regional governments which might be pulling their weight and national governments which are not?"
