EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.

Newswire – EA: As part of its commitment to continuing the rising standards in water quality across England and Wales, the  Environment Agency supported the autumn seminar of the Association of Rivers Restoration Trusts at the London Wetland Centre, Barnes, recently.
 
Under the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) the UK is required to achieve good ecological status in all surface waters & ground waters by 2027.  Currently only 24% of water bodies in Thames region are at good status.  The EA is the competent authority for delivering WFD objectives in England & Wales and recognises that partnership working is the only way these objectives can be reached.
Press release ~ Association of Rivers Restoration Trusts ~ London Wetland Centre, Barnes ~ EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) ~ Thames Rivers Restoration Trust ~ London Rivers Action Plan ~ Environment Agency - Water for life and livelihoods: draft River Basin Management Plans ~ EA – River Water Quality
 
ScotGov: Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead announced action to extend the list of Scottish foods enjoying Protected Food Name (PFN) status.  The Arbroath Smokie, Scotch Beef, Shetland Lamb, among others, already enjoy PFN status, making it illegal for others to cash in on their special appeal by selling imitations.
 
As part of Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight, Mr Lochhead announced that the Scottish Government will bring together producers currently registered as PFNs (including those elsewhere in Europe) with those hoping to secure that status in the future. The event, to take place later this year, will highlight the benefits, advise on the process for application and provide an opportunity to exchange ideas about growing the number of PFNs in Scotland.
Press release ~ Scotland Food and Drink Fortnight ~  ScotGov - Food ~ Protected Food Name (PFN) status ~ Product Origin – Scotland: A Review of Industry Practice and Evidence
 
ScotGov: A new study on the impact of the economic downturn and conservation measures on the fishing industry has been published. The study was commissioned by the Scottish Government earlier this year to demonstrate to the European Commission the financial difficulties facing fishermen (ScotGov officials will be meeting European Commission officials on September 25 to discuss the study's findings).
 
Carried out by economists at industry authority Seafish, it looked at the current & future impacts on fleets of fuel & fish prices, quota reductions and restrictions on days at sea. It found that this year fuel & fish prices are the key factors affecting the profits of the nephrops (prawn/langoustine) sector. Additional restrictions proposed by Europe for 2010 are estimated to have a further impact but, even without these, the sector is likely to remain financially fragile.
Press release ~ Impact of the Cod Recovery Plan ~ Seafish ~ Profitable Futures for Fishing ~ Fuel Task Force ~ Scottish Fisheries Council (SFC) ~ ScotGov - Fisheries ~ EU press release – phasing out of discards ~ Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) ~ EU cod recovery plan ~ EC published proposals ~ Fisheries Research Services ~ EC - Fisheries ~ BBC: Wasted catches hit Europe's codTelegraph: UK fishing boat filmed dumping 5 tons of fish
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