In its monthly package of infringement decisions the European Commission today issued a letter of formal notice to Denmark concerning its compliance with several important provisions of the EU fisheries control rules
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-19-462_en.htm
EU Commission fact sheet
January infringements package: key decisions
Brussels, 24 January 2019
Overview by policy area
In its monthly package of infringement decisions, the European Commission is pursuing legal action against Member States for failing to comply with their obligations under EU law. These decisions, covering various sectors and EU policy areas, aim to ensure the proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses. For more information on the EU infringement procedure, see the full MEMO/12/12. For more detail on all decisions taken, consult the infringement decisions’ register.
12. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
(For more information: Enrico Brivio – tel.: +32 229 56172, Daniela Stoycheva – tel.: +32 229 53664)
A letter of formal notice
Fisheries control:
Commission follows up on infringement procedure against DENMARK concerning its compliance with some provisions of the EU control rules
The Commission decided today to send an additional letter of formal notice to Denmark over its failure to enforce several important provisions of the EU Control Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No N° 1224/2009). The Regulation establishes a system for the control, inspection and enforcement by national authorities of the EU rules of the Common Fisheries Policy. The Regulation has been in force since 1 January 2010. To date, the Commission considers that Denmark fails to ensure that all fishery products are weighed at landing and that mandatory catch registration documents record the quantities of each species present, including industrial by-catches. The most serious issues concern fisheries for industrial purposes. These deficiencies significantly undermine the accuracy of catch registration documents which are necessary for quota deduction purposes and to prevent overfishing. In addition, Denmark does not ensure that the Commission is notified of the quantities of stocks actually landed with a consequent risk to the sustainability objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy. Denmark has now two months to reply to the concerns raised by the Commission; otherwise, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion.
Commission press contacts:
Ricardo CARDOSO (+32 2 298 01 00) – Uldis ŠALAJEVS (+32 2 296 75 60)