Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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84. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the various roles of fishing producer organisations; the oversight and control exercised over them; in what circumstances a fishing producer organisation will be excluded and or disqualified from its role under the common fisheries policy or other legislative provisions; the circumstances in which they will be shut down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4249/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The role of Independent Fisheries Producer Organisations or (POs) is a varied one. Apart from the obvious function of representing their member’s interests at annual EU fishing quota negotiations in Brussels etc, POs are also an increasingly important element in terms of delivering on the EUs objectives for the recently reformed Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The role of POs is recognised as being integral to achieving the objectives of the new CFP in terms of such important aspects as promoting the viable and sustainable fishing activities of their members, eliminating discards by helping members to avoid and reduce unwanted catches, contributing to the traceability of fishery products and the elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing etc. The organisations also play an important role in improving the conditions for the placing on the market of their member’s fishery products, maximising economic returns for the industry while contributing to the production of a high quality, safe food source. Other functions may include playing a role in reducing the environmental impact of fishing and, managing temporary storage for fishery products (where relevant).

It is important to note that Producer Organisations are primarily independent representative organisations operating on behalf of their members, in common with organised representative organisations throughout the Irish economy. While the State does not have a primary oversight or control role in terms of the day to day operation of these organisations, there is regular interaction via such processes as annual quota negotiations, quota management meetings and (W.E.F 2015) the new requirement for POs to produce and submit annual or multi annual Production and Marketing Plans (PMPs). The latter may attract funding via the new EMFF (European maritime fisheries fund) and any such funding will therefore be subject to the rules and procedures governing such funds, which will be announced by my Department later this year.

In very general terms any organised groups of fishermen or seafood related producers may apply to the European Commission via the Member State for official recognition as a fisheries PO. Before they can be recognised they must have a significant presence in the marketplace and meet the other criteria set down by the Commission for such recognition. These include, having a demonstrable functioning organisation and business premises, appropriate staffing, expertise and a genuine commitment to sustainable fishing practices etc. Thereafter such recognition can only be withdrawn if the organisation fails to fulfil its role or meet its obligations under the CFP (see above) or by not adhering to the practice and objectives of the CFP in terms of sustainable fishing and appropriate quota management fishing practices etc.

The policy of my Department is to encourage and enable existing Producer Organisations to achieve their objectives in terms of maximising their contribution to coastal economies particularly while respecting their independence as representative bodies working on behalf of their individual members. My Department welcomes applications from groups who may wish to consider becoming recognised POs provided they meet the criteria set out by the European Commission in this regard. In general any evidence of non compliance by POs with the conditions for recognition laid down in article 14 of EU Reg 1379/2013 or (W.E.F. 2015), obligations provided under Article 28 of EU Reg 1379/2013 regarding Production and Marketing Plans may result in the withdrawal of such recognition.