Womens' networks in fishing, farming and diversification activities

 The committee adopted the own-initiative report by Elspeth ATTWOOLL (ALDE, UK) entitled "Women's networks: fishing, farming and diversification". The report stressed the important, although "largely invisible", role women play in fisheries- dependent communities and called on the Commission to produce a report on the activities of women's networks in these communities throughout the EU, with a particular focus on the situation in the newer Member States. The Commission and MemberStates were urged to look into ways of supporting the development and creation of such networks, and eliminating barriers to women's full participation in the industry.

The report made a series of recommendations, including:

- more vocational training and education specially geared to the activities of women working in the fisheries sector;

- greater flexibility in the use of structural funds to allow "an integration of the activities of women in fisheries-dependent communities and of women in farming communities in coastal areas";

- measures to encourage young people to work in the sector in order to ensure its continuity;

- the participation of representative delegates from women's networks in the activities of Regional Advisory Councils.

Lastly, the Commission was asked to report regularly to Parliament on the development of women's networks in the fisheries sector and on the basis on which their activities are funded.