Decentralisation Of CFP Is Vital

The convening of the committee marks an important first step in the new co-decision making and legislative process agreed under the Lisbon Treaty, which means that CFP reform and all other fisheries matters – apart from total allowable catches and quotas – will now have to go before the European Parliament.

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, will tell the committee that it is essential that reform of the CFP results in much greater regional control of fisheries so as to allow for more effective fisheries management.

Speaking before the hearing, Mr Armstrong said: “Centralised control simply does not work, and there is no better example of this than the totally ludicrous decision at the last EC Fish Council to continue with wholly inappropriate regulatory measures for the Scottish west coast, which will actually result in Scottish fishermen having to discard more fish so as to comply with the law.

“The key plank of CFP reform must revolve around decentralisation and the introduction of regional control of fisheries. This will enable effective management to be introduced, which will include invaluable input from scientists and fishermen who know these waters the best and the type of measures that are most likely to work.”