'No room for manoeuvre' on fishing quotas

摘要

The European Commission would like to know further details before deciding on a €4 million aid package for North Sea fishermen, announced on April 15 by French Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Michel Barnier.rn"The question must be examined," said a Commission spokesman, on April 16, adding that operational aid is prohibited. However, she conceded that some aid may be granted under the European Fisheries Fund.rnDuring the fishermen's blockade of French ports in the North Sea, Barnier said that if the fishing quotas were exceeded rnearlier than planned for the first quarter of 2009 (or even for the period ending in June), it was because there were "too many boats" in the area.