MEP calls for change of pelagic landing rules
01 December 2006
Jim Allister MEP is calling on the EU Commission and Council of Ministers to amend Council Regulation (EC) No 1300/2005 and in particular Paragraph 9.7.
The Regulation amends Regulation (EC) No 27/2005, which concerns control measures applicable to (mainly) pelagic fisheries. Paragraph 9.7 sets out the rules pertaining to the weighing of fresh fish after transport. It permits a derogation, allowing fresh fish to be weighed after transport from the port of landing provided that the fish is transported to a destination in the same Member State as the port of landing and which is no more than 60 kilometres from the port of landing.
Mr Allister explained, “The preference of the local fleet is to land their fish to local processors. This, of course, boosts the local economy. However, a few of our vessels are too large to berth in Ardglass or Kilkeel and in consequence have been landing fish at Lisnahally, County Londonderry. However, the application of Paragraph 7 dictates that the owners of the vessel now find it impossible to use Lisnahally because the port is more than 60 kilometres from the County Down herring buyers. To do so would put them in contravention of this unduly restrictive EC Regulation.
So not only are local boats being inconvenienced, but local processors are losing out and Lisnahally is not being put to optimum use. Lisnahally recently received a substantial EU FIFG grant that facilitated the construction of a specific fish quay that could better facilitate amongst others our pelagic vessels. As a result of the EU regulation the fish quay is not being used to its full potential.
If this were not enough, Paragraph 7 has in effect starved our remaining pelagic factories of fresh fish. Not only can’t they source fish from Lisnahally, but they are unable to transport fish from other parts of Ireland. This is a problem shared by other pelagic processors in the Republic of Ireland, apart from those in Killybegs where vessels can land directly into the port.
Amendments to EC Regulations are not particularly easy to achieve, but I have written to Commissioner Borg identifying the problem and calling for a relaxation of the 60km rule. I also believe the Regulation, as presently enforced, is anti-competitive and should be struck down on that basis alone. I trust at the forthcoming December Fisheries Council serious steps will be taken to address this issue."
