Elspeth Attwooll MEP backs proposals to reduce fisheries red tape

1.13.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 27th Jun 2006

Euro MP Elspeth Attwooll has backed a European Commission proposal to simplify EU fisheries rules, including improved consultation on the annual quotas.

As a member of the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee, Elspeth agreed that the simplification of fishing legislation should also include making sure that laws are clearer and are consolidated, so that similar rules are all integrated into the same regulation.

Currently, confusion is caused by regular amendments to regulations, making it difficult to know what exactly needs to be done at any one time. Fishermen can be penalised for this, as failure to comply often leads to heavy fines.

Elspeth has inserted a section into the report insisting that the new Regional Advisory Councils must be fully involved in the simplification process, in order that the fishermen themselves can provide their own input.

She commented: "It is true to say that the current situation is unacceptable for the fishermen. There is a tangled net of rules created here in Brussels and we must take responsibility for sorting it out. That will only work, though, if the sector is fully involved and I believe that this can be done effectively by consulting closely and meaningfully with the Regional Advisory Councils."