Tuna: fleet and industry. Evolution and future in the European Union and in the world

The European Parliament adopted a resolution based on the own-initiative report drafted by Daniel VARELA SUANZES-CARPEGNA (EPP-ED, E) calling on the Commission to submit proposals to the Council and Parliament providing for a specific action plan and an overall structural support framework for the tuna sector, together with a plan to protect the tuna sector in the face of third countries. (Please see the summary dated 25/11/03.) Parliament also asked the Commission to clarify the relationship between the 'dolphin-safe' label that is managed by the AIDCP (an intergovernmental body to which the EU belongs) and any other 'dolphin-safe' label marketed in the EU. Any 'dolphin-safe' label allowed on the EU market must be transparent in its criteria and operation and reliable for consumers, so that they can trust the information on the label. Finally, Parliament asked the Commission to create, following the Tuna Days held on 5 and 6 June 2003, a specific advisory committee on tropical tuna so that representatives of the Community tuna fleet and industry can exchange ideas within an institutional framework, thereby making the coordination of Community policies affecting the sector more effective.�