The Commission is now proposing extending the current multi-annual guidance programme for one year.

This was the fourth generation multi-annual guidance programme, a series of programmes dating back to 1983.

The multi-annual guidance programme has failed.

People complain about the Multi-Annual Guidance Programme and say it is not working.

Mr Kindermann seems not to have any problems with that at all. After all, that country has complied with the multi-annual guidance programme.

Also under discussion, although not in this plenary session, is the renewal of the multi-annual guidance programme, which has also been stalled due to the Council's inability to make a decision.

This is probably the most important issue that faces the EU this year as it prepares the multi-annual guidance programme - the fourth one - to reduce the size of the fleets.

The multi-annual guidance programme for the fisheries sector was aimed at reducing and renewing the European fishing fleet but, at the same time, we have to note that the programme has not improved the fish stocks in any way.

Our support for the McKenna report and therefore the call on the Council to adopt a fourth multi-annual guidance programme should not be interpreted as meaning that we support all parts of the proposal made by the Commission.

This has given rise to the measures that we have seen, which place restrictions on net size, on driftnets, on boat power, on building new boats and on total allowable catches (TAC), all of which forms part of the Multi-Annual Guidance Programme (MAGP).