Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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248. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the cessation of the dumping of surplus of fishing catches has progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49430/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The new CFP, which was negotiated to completion under the Irish presidency, will ensure real meaningful reform to how EU waters are fished in the future. The agreement is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing in Ireland and throughout EU waters, utilising best scientific advice as a key determinant in setting annual fishing quotas in the future. A key element of the reformed CFP in achieving this goal will be the introduction of the landing obligation. This will see the landing obligation for pelagic stocks coming into force with effect from 1 January 2015.

Under the regional approach to decision making set out in the CFP, Ireland has worked with fellow Member States (UK, France, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands) on developing appropriate measures for fisheries in the North Western Waters. This group has worked closely with the North Western Waters Advisory Council and the Pelagic Advisory Council and has finalised a discards plan for pelagic stocks in North Western Waters in advance of the introduction of the landing obligation for these stocks on 1 January 2015.

Work on a plan for whitefish stocks has commenced to provide for the landing obligation which comes into force on 1 January 2016. This work is being carried out in consultation with the Advisory Council.