The revision of the common fisheries policy (CFP), initially set for 2012, should be launched immediately. That is what EU Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg is expected to tell the European Commission, which will hold a policy debate on fisheries at its first meeting after the summer recess, on 17 September. His position matches that of Michel Barnier, France's Fisheries Minister and President-in-Office of the Council, who announced, among the presidency's priorities, France's intention to launch a 'health check of the CFP' this fall following on from the ongoing health check of the Common Agricultural Policy. Borg will present the Commission an initial evaluation of the achievements and shortcomings of the 2002 reform of the CFP. Among its strengths, he will stress the improved credibility and transparency of policies based to a greater extent on scientific findings, improved dialogue with stakehold- ers, implementation of long-term management plans for several fish stocks and measures to combat illegal fishing and to reduce discards. He will also confirm the presenta- tion in October of a number of proposals to strengthen fisheries monitoring policy.
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