Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 102: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on a complete renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy as part of any review, in order to address the share of quota provided to fishermen here. [11736/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the fisheries policy of the European Union which was first put in place in 1983 and has been subject to reviews every 10 years, the most recent was in 2002 and the next is formally scheduled for 2012.

Work has already commenced in preparation for the review with the publication of a Commission Working Paper in September 2008 and the launch of a phase of analysis and consultation. The French Presidency also held an informal Fisheries meeting in September (on the margins of the Fisheries Council) on the reform process.

A public hearing of the Fisheries Committee of the European Parliament was held on the 10th February on the reform of the CFP, the highlight of which was a speech by Commissioner Borg.

It is clear from that speech that absolutely everything within the current framework of the CFP is open for discussion including the TACs and Quotas system and relative stability. The whole question of the Hague preferences would also be open for negotiation.

In relation to quota allocations, the position is that Ireland's shares of the main fish stocks were set in the early 1980s when fish stocks were being shared out between EU Member States. The share allocations were based on catch records and reflected the fishing levels of the Irish fleet and other Member states' fleets at that time. The percentage shares held by each Member State have generally remained the same for over 20 years under the principle of relative stability.

It has been a priority of successive Irish fisheries Ministers to try to have these shares improved. During both reviews of the Common Fisheries Policy, in 1992 and again in 2002, substantial efforts were made to push Ireland's case for increased shares of important stocks but without success. Ireland received no support from other Member States for changes in the allocation keys for the share out of stocks.

The practical reality is, however, that to achieve an increase in Ireland's share of catches, other Member States would have to take a cut in their shares. This is all the more difficult to achieve when the total allowable catches (TACs) of all the main commercial species are falling and the reality is that achieving support for such an outcome at the December Agriculture and Fisheries Council, where quotas are fixed for the following year, is not deliverable.

Notwithstanding the fact that the TACs and Quotas system and relative stability are up for discussion as part of the CFP review, at this point the European Commission and other Member States largely take the view that the quota shares are fixed and not subject to ad-hoc changes pending any more fundamental review of the Common Fisheries Policy.

The Commission is expected to publish a Green Paper on the review which will be up for debate at the April Agriculture and Fisheries Ministerial Council. This will be followed by public consultation later in the year and a legislative proposal next year with a view to adoption in early 2012.

I am committed to working closely with the Federation of Irish Fishermen, other stakeholders and other like minded Member States to strengthen the current policy for the betterment of fisheries.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 104: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount in refunds relating to modulation deductions made to single farm payment that have been paid out to date and the number of farmers involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12003/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Refunds of Modulation under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme began issuing to farmers last week and, to date, refunds amounting to some €24 million have issued to over 122,000 applicants. Modulation is the process whereby a percentage of each farmer's Single Payment is transferred to fund rural development measures in Pillar 2 of the CAP. In excess of 80% of the sum deducted is used to fund rural development measures in Ireland. Modulation deductions are provided for in legislation governing the implementation of the Single Payment Scheme and a refund of the deductions on the first €5,000 is also provided for. While individual farmers are not liable for the modulation reduction on the first €5,000 paid under the Single Payment Scheme, Member States are required under the EU rules of the Scheme to make the deduction from all Scheme beneficiaries in the first instance and make the necessary refunds later. However, I am particularly pleased that agreement has been reached, under the recently concluded Health Check negotiations, whereby we will no longer be required to make deductions for Modulation in respect of the first €5,000 of a farmer's Single Payment. This is a sensible change to the rules and one for which I argued strongly. This change is with effect from the 2009 Scheme.