The expiry of the current Common Fisheries Policy in 2002 was debated by MEPs in Brussels this month. Maria Fraga Estevez (EPP, E) called for a new policy that takes account of the needs of the industry and of the problem of the EU fishing fleet. This she considered to be too large in view of limitations on stocks.
Most controversially, she drew attention to the exemption from the principle of freedom of access for member states to all Community fishing grounds that has been enjoyed by the United Kingdom, Denmark and Ireland since they joined the EU in 1973. This transitional derogation is due to lapse at the end of 2002. Mrs Fraga argued that the single market principle of freedom of access should apply automatically after 2002 in the absence of a decision by the Council of Ministers.
Her views were contested by Pat the Cope Gallagher (Connacht/Ulster, UFE) who argued that Mrs Fraga Estevez was treating the fishing industry like any other business, particularly in the way she considered national quotas to be incompatible with the single market. He did not believe that the single market should lead to unrestricted access to fish resources and considered that a policy similar to set-aside in agriculture should be adopted for the fishing sector.
Despite these reservations, however, MEPs voted by a large majority in favour of Mrs Fraga Estevez's proposals. They stress the importance of treating fisheries as "simply another sector of economic activity", although it has special problems relating to the environment, employment and conservation stocks.