Dr Borg defined sustainability as comprising three equally important aspects. Firstly, in environmental terms, it includes the need to reduce fishing for some stocks. Although such reductions would have a negative impact on fishermen, he promised “to undertake to reduce such hardship”.

Secondly, it means safeguarding the social cohesion of fishing communities – given that if these do not survive, improvement in stocks will have been of no use.

Finally, he said, more must be done to enhance the competitiveness of the industry. Declaring himself to be “convinced that we have to apply the Lisbon Strategy to the sector”, he stressed the need for it to become more prosperous and self-sufficient.

The commissioner designate also emphasised that stakeholder involvement in CFP must become a reality. Turning to maritime affairs, Dr Borg said that he would preside over a task force set up to shape proposals for a future integrated maritime policy. Stressing that the knowledge of some maritime resources is still poor, he said that attempts at developing an integrated approach in this area were in their infancy, having only really taken off in the last decade.

Dr Borg welcomed the future application of co-decision to fisheries, if the Constitutional Treaty is approved. He considered working with the EP “not only an obligation but a facet of my work which will give it added value”. In reply to further questioning he pledged to work with the chair of the Fisheries Committee to create a mechanism to deepen the working partnership with the EP, which would eventually flow naturally into co-decision.

Several MEPs asked about the role of the Regional Advisory Councils (RACs). In reply, Mr Borg underscored that the RACS “must first learn how to walk”. In three years’ time they will be evaluated and “we will take it from there”.

On the Mediterranean regulation, which is currently being redrafted by the

commission, Mr Borg was “open to finding a solution” to the concerns raised by the EP and local fishermen. Those concerns led the EP to reject the commission’s first proposal earlier this year.

Pressed for more details on the structure of the Maritime Affairs Task Force and the deadline for drawing up the Green Paper, Dr Borg explained that the new group would meet at commissioner level and that the Green Paper should be published in the first half of 2006.