Commissioner Borg in Brittany for talks

Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Joe Borg is holding discussions with the main stakeholders of both the maritime and fisheries sectors in Brittany - one of the most important European regions in these sectors.

During his two-day trip Dr Borg will visit shellfish growing businesses in Carantec, before touring the port facilities in Roscoff, where he will hold discussions with Dominique Bussereau, French Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries.

Dr Borg is also expected to address a conference, in Brest, organised by the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions, on the state of play of the Commission Green Paper on an EU maritime policy. He will also pay a visit to the ports of Saint Guénolé and Le Guilvinec where he will have meetings with regional and local authorities.

A spokesman for Commissioner Borg yesterday told The Times that the aim of this visit is to encourage stakeholders to continue their efforts to set up Regional Advisory Councils and to participate in the initiatives being taken by the Commission in both sectors especially in the drawing up of the new maritime policy for the EU.

Other themes to be discussed during the Commissioner's visit include the economic difficulties of the fishing fleets, the future European Fisheries Fund for the period 2007-2013 to be discussed at the April Council and measures to rebuild depleted stocks.