European Parliament to vote on Irish Box
04/06/2003 - 07:28:52The European Parliament is due to vote today on a controversial plan to abolish the so-called "Irish Box" and allow foreign fishing vessels unlimited access to the 50-mile exclusion zone.
The box was created to protect the Irish fishing industry and to preserve stocks, but the European Commission has decided to support its abolition due to pressure from Spain.
At present, the Spanish fishing fleet is only allowed to send 40 vessels into the "Irish Box" at any one time.
While EU rules require the Parliament to be consulted, the final decision on the fate of the exclusion zone rests with the Council of Ministers.
Irish fishermen said they expect MEPs to support the Commission's stance.
