Harmonised safety regime for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over

The Committee on Transport unanimously adopted the draft legislative resolution giving Parliament's approval of the proposal for a directive to set up a harmonised safety regime for fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over. This was the Community's response to the initiatives taken by the International Maritime Organisation (Torremolinos Convention and Protocol). The rapporteur, Mr Le Rachinel (NI, F), did not table any amendments since he believed that the Commission had achieved an acceptable balance between the requirements for the harmonisation of safety standards, fair competition and the protection of a fragile sector of activity. This had undoubtedly influenced the almost unanimous and very positive reactions of all the parties concerned, including the fishermen's trade unions and vessel owners. �