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Fishing authorisations for Union fishing vessels in United Kingdom waters and fishing operations of United Kingdom fishing vessels in Union waters

2019/0010(COD)

The European Parliament adopted by 641 votes to 28, with 6 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2403 as regards fishing authorisations for Union fishing vessels in United Kingdom waters and fishing operations of United Kingdom fishing vessels in Union waters.

The European Parliament adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure without amending the Commission proposal.

The proposal seeks to amend Regulation (EU) 2017/2403 on the sustainable management of external fleets in order to avoid the interruption of fishing activities by United Kingdom fishing vessels in EU waters and by EU fishing vessels in UK waters on the date of the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU, which could be 30 March 2019.

The proposal provides for the possibility for United Kingdom vessels to conduct fishing activities in EU waters until the end of 2019 and the introduction of simplified authorisation procedures for vessels wishing to fish in United Kingdom waters.

The proposed Regulation also continues the practice of exchanging quotas with the United Kingdom, as was the case when the United Kingdom joined the Union.

The granting of authorisations is subject to the principle of ‘reciprocity’, i.e. on condition that the United Kingdom extends the current access rights for EU vessels to conduct fishing activities in United Kingdom waters.

Consequently, authorisations will only be granted if and to the extent that the United Kingdom provides authorisations for Union vessels to make use of fishing opportunities allocated to them in accordance with the fishing opportunity Regulations.

The specific rules provided for in this proposal should apply from the day following that on which Union law ceases to apply to the United Kingdom pursuant to Article 50(3) of the Treaty on European Union.