REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a catch documentation programme for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 640/2010
26.5.2021 - (COM(2020)0670 – C9‑0336/2020 – 2020/0302(COD)) - ***I
Committee on Fisheries
Rapporteur: Gabriel Mato
(Simplified procedure - Rule 52(1) of the Rules of Procedure)
DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION
on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a catch documentation programme for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 640/2010
(COM(2020)0670 – C9‑0336/2020 – 2020/0302(COD))
(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2020)0670),
– having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 43(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C9‑0336/2020),
– having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
– having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 27 January 2021[1],
– having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,
– having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A9-0172/2021),
1. Adopts its position at first reading, taking over the Commission proposal;
2. Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;
3. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Background of the Proposal
The European Union has been a Contracting Party to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ("the ICCAT Convention") since 1997.
The ICCAT Convention provides a framework for regional cooperation on the conservation and management of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and the adjoining seas through the setting up of an International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ("ICCAT").
ICCAT has the authority to adopt binding recommendations for the conservation and management of the fisheries under its purview. These acts are essentially addressed to the ICCAT Contracting Parties, such as the Union, but also contain obligations for private operators (e.g. vessel masters).
Content of the Proposal
This proposal [COM (2020) 670] sets out the rules for a Union Bluefin Tuna Catch Documentation Programme in order to implement conservation and management measures adopted by ICCAT, under its Bluefin Tuna Catch Documentation Scheme. The latter’s purpose is to identify the origin of all Bluefin tuna.
A Union Catch Documentation Programme is in fact already in place, under Regulation (EU) No 640/2010. In the proposal currently under consideration, which is intended to repeal Regulation (EU) No 640/2010, the recording and validation of catch and subsequent trade events of Bluefin tuna is performed through an electronic Bluefin tuna catch document system (eBCD) which has been functioning since 2017 and which Member States and operators already use. The proposal stipulates that the electronic system can be replaced, exceptionally, by paper documents (the BCD, Bluefin Tuna Catch Document), equivalent to the electronic system requirements.
In addition, the proposal establishes general provisions on the use of Bluefin catch and re-export documents and sets rules for the recording and validation of catch and subsequent trade events of Bluefin tuna. Specific rules are set for tagged fish. It also contains provisions for verification before validation, transmission of data of eBCD users and annual reporting to ICCAT. Lastly, it proposes extensive use of delegated acts to modify the basic act in future (in Article 14).
Opinion of the Rapporteur
The rapporteur welcomes the fact that the Commission has undertaken an exercise of strict transposition of the ICCAT Recommendations, thus establishing a level playing field for all operators. Ensuring identical conditions for everybody, while promoting the EU’s high sustainability standards to foreign fleets through EU action in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and other international fora, is crucial for our operators and for improving international ocean governance.
The rapporteur believes that it is important, vis-à-vis to the operators, to the public and to our partner countries, that the Commission proposes a swift transposition of RFMOs’ Recommendations, in order to avoid delays in the implementation of certain provisions. It is not logical that ICCAT Recommendations dating back to 2018 and setting deadlines for 2020 are adopted in 2021.
In that light, and given that this file involves a highly technical transposition exercise devoid of substantial political content, the rapporteur has decided not to submit any amendments to the Commission’s proposal.
PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE
Title |
Establishing a catch documentation programme for bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 640/2010 |
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References |
COM(2020)0670 – C9-0336/2020 – 2020/0302(COD) |
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Date submitted to Parliament |
27.10.2020 |
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Committee responsible Date announced in plenary |
PECH 11.11.2020 |
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Rapporteurs Date appointed |
Gabriel Mato 9.12.2020 |
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Simplified procedure - date of decision |
10.5.2021 |
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Discussed in committee |
3.12.2020 |
25.5.2021 |
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Date adopted |
25.5.2021 |
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Date tabled |
26.5.2021 |
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- [1] OJ C 123, 9.4.2021, p. 72 .