The Swedish EU Presidency proposes a fairly traditional agenda for the fisheries sector: adoption of management measures for the 2010 fishing season, adoption and implementation of management and recovery plans for species in a precarious state, adoption of the draft regulation on strengthening the control system of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), launch of the debate on reform of the CFP and continuation of negotiations and implementation of fisheries partnerships with third countries. This traditional agenda hangs in large part on the institutional uncertainties. If the Lisbon Treaty enters into force, all these decisions – with the exception of TACs (total allowable catches) and quotas and fishing effort – will come under co-decision. The draft regulation on strengthening controls could be the first to be decided by the new rules.

Like other Presidencies during the second half of the year, Sweden will have as its principal objective the timely adoption of management measures for the coming season: setting of TACs and quotas and fishing effort, related measures, recovery plans for certain species and indicative prices. As was the case last year, a process has been launched to ease the agenda of the December Council: the Swedish EU Presidency is counting on adopting TACs and quotas for the Baltic and Black Seas in October, leaving those of the Atlantic and North Sea for December. The European Commission is aware of the potential difficulties that would result from entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty and co-decision and has promised to make a clear distinction in its proposals between TACs and related technical measures so that, regardless of the institutional situation in December, the decisions on quotas will not be delayed, or postponed, because of co-decision applying to certain elements.

URGENCY OF CONTROL REGULATION

Apart from TACs and quotas, there is an issue that becomes the number one priority as a result of the institutional calendar. The Swedish EU Presidency will have to make every effort to ensure adoption in Council as soon as possible of the draft regulation on reinforcing the CFP control system. This is the classic example of an issue which could become more complicated if it comes under co-decision. The assembly has already issued its opinion under the consultation procedure, as foreseen by the current rules. However, if the 27 fail to reach a formal agreement in the meantime, the EP could restart the process from scratch and impose a double-reading procedure. This would cause a considerable delay of at least one year. The Swedes may have a hard time pushing adoption through given the misgivings and diverging views expressed by member states at the June Council (see Europolitics 3779).

CFP REFORM

The public consultation on reform of the CFP by 2012, launched by the Commission’s green paper, will be open until the end of the year so it is out of the question for the Council to adopt any decisions in that connection. Yet Stockholm intends to work on the issue, including the technical aspects. It will organise an informal meeting of directors-general and a policy debate at the November Council.

Provisional Council agendas

19-20 October: Annual consultations with Norway (joint management of stocks)

Political agreement on Black Sea TACs and quotas;

19-20 November: Adoption of 2010 indicative prices for sea products.

Policy debate on CFP reform

Adoption of an information mechanism on catches of bluefin tuna

Annual consultations with Norway

14-15 December: Decisions on TACs and quotas

Recovery plans for northern hake and horse mackerel