Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he will ensure the viability of the fishing industry with particular reference to families dependent on the sector; if he can identify a means whereby negative developments in this regard can be addressed in the short and medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40646/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 current CFP is under review and is now expected to be adopted in 2013 possibly during the Irish Presidency.

My overarching goal for the new CFP is for a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to deliver a sustainable and eco centred fisheries landscape for future generations.

In the current economic climate, we need a policy that both simplifies and reduces the administrative burden while at the same time strengthens and supports the industry’s capacity to maximise employment in coastal community’s dependant on fishing.

In particular, I will be pursuing initiatives that will deliver and sustain jobs in coastal communities rather than those that promote the concentration of wealth and delivery of excessive profits for a few big international businesses. I support a system which maintains strong economic links between national quotas and the traditional fishing communities which these quotas were allocated to assist.

The Council of Fisheries Ministers under the Danish Presidency reached a general approach on the Basic CFP Regulation and the Common Organisation of the Markets at the June Fisheries Council (12 June). This is a significant, though informal, step in the process of working towards final agreement with the European Parliament under the ordinary legislative procedure.

The new CFP will have to be agreed by the European Parliament and Council for adoption under the ordinary legislative process (co-decision).

The intention of a general approach is its message for stakeholders and to the European Parliament as to the direction in which the Council feels the reform of the CFP should go. The Parliament’s first reading is expected to be voted on in January. The negotiations between the Council, the Parliament and the Commission on agreeing a new Regulation are expected to take place during the first half of 2013, during the Irish Presidency.

I will continue to work with the Commission and my European colleagues to deliver a new fisheries policy that will underpin the economic and social integrity of our coastal communities dependent on the wider seafood sector.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will indicate arising from the evolution of the European Fisheries Policy over the years, to what extent specific efforts at identifying the job losses in the catching and processing of fish and fish products at the various fishing ports throughout the EU including Ireland; if it is envisaged that the future development of fishery policy can address the social and economic issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40647/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am not aware of any studies specifically identifying job losses in the catching and processing of fish and fish products carried out at EU level. However looking specifically at the Irish situation, figures from the Bord Iascaigh Mhara Annual Report for 1971/72 gives the number of both full and part time employed on board fishing boats as being 5,801. An employment survey from BIM gives the 2010 equivalent figure as being 5,475, a reduction of 326 over the full intervening period.

Both Food Harvest 2020 and Action Plan for Jobs 2012 recognise that most of the future growth and employment potential in the seafood sector is in the areas of processing and aquaculture. Food Harvest 2020 aims to increase employment in the seafood sector as a whole, from 11,000 to 14,000 by 2020 and to increase revenue from €700 million to €1 billion by 2020. In May of this year I announced €3.2 million in grants to 21 seafood processing companies to support investments worth €15.5 million in 2012. These investments are projected to generate over 142 additional jobs and increased sales of value added seafood products of nearly €44 million by 2015. These plans add to investment worth €7 million by 21 companies in 2011 and further investment worth €2.7 by 8 companies in 2010. Together these forward looking developments are setting a clear path to achievement of the value adding potential of the seafood sector, as identified in Food Harvest 2020 and Action Plan for Jobs 2012.