MEPs back discards ban in fisheries reform vote

摘要

Discards, where fish that are the wrong species or size are thrown back into the sea, are set to be banned in Europe with the phase out starting in 2014, following a key vote in the European Parliament last week. MEPs from all parties voted overwhelmingly on 6 February for the reforms to the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which would not only end discards but also cut fishing to sustainable stock levels, and base long-term planning on sound scientific data. However, the Council must still agree to the reforms and some member states are reticent.