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Dear Consultee

CONSULTATION ON THE FORTHCOMING REVIEW OF THE COMMON FISHERIES POLICY

Following the recent publication of the European Commission's Green Paper on the Review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), I would like to invite you to take part in a written consultation on the future of the CFP and on what UK objectives should be in this Review.

Under Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) 3760/92, the basic CFP regulation, the Commission is required to produce a report and proposals for the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers by 31 December 2001. By the end of 2002, the Council will then decide on any necessary adjustments to current arrangements.

The Commission Green Paper marks an important stage in the Review process. It sets out the Commission's view of what issues need to be considered in the Review, how the CFP can be improved, and how the objectives of the policy should be revised. There is much in the Green Paper that we welcome. The Review process itself offers a good opportunity to seek significant improvements in the operation of the CFP.

The Green Paper provides a critical analysis of several aspects of the CFP's operation. This analysis makes a good starting-point for pinpointing weaknesses in the existing policy and for developing options designed to secure significant improvements. It poses some important questions about how fisheries should be managed within the European Community. This is a debate in which Scotland has a key interest. We hope that by involving as many stakeholders as possible in the consultation process we will be able to develop clear objectives for bringing about positive changes to the CFP.

We would like to know what all sectors of the fishing industry, environmental interests, consumers, local authorities, academics and others think about the Commission's analysis of the CFP and suggested ways of improving its operation. Separate consultation exercises will be carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland and the National Assembly of Wales Agriculture Department. The UK Fisheries Departments will collaborate in putting together an approach which will mean an improved CFP for the whole of the UK.

Attached to this letter is a two-page summary document, outlining the contents of the Green Paper and current UK priorities, and seeking your comments on them. The full text of the Green Paper can be found on the European Commission's website: http://europa.eu.int/ We have highlighted a number of the key questions that arise and would particularly welcome your views on them. But we are also interested to have your views on other points which may concern you.

It would be helpful if you could respond before the end of May so that your views can most effectively be taken into account in our preparations for the major debate on the Green Paper in the Fisheries Council on 18 June.

Responses - which will be made public unless requested otherwise - should be sent to:

Siân Ledger

Sea Fisheries Division
Room 518 Pentland House
47 Robb's Loan
EDINBURGH
EH14 ITY

Tel: 0131 244 4421

e-mail: sian.ledger@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

Should you have any comments or queries about this consultation process, please address them in the first instance to Siân Ledger.

PAUL A BRADY

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