Criminal proceedings against J. van Dam en Zonen and others. [1979] EUECJ R-185/78 (3 July 1979)

Criminal proceedings against J. van Dam en Zonen and others. [1979] EUECJ R-185/78 (3 July 1979)

The transitional period under Article 102 of the Act of Accession expired on 31 December 1978. Until that date, and in the absence of Community measures, Member States were competent and obliged to adopt conservation measures compatible with Community law, including fishing quotas. Such national quotas are not discriminatory under Article 7 EEC Treaty if applied uniformly to all fishermen under the Member State's jurisdiction, regardless of whether other Member States apply less strict rules.

Citation
[1979] EUECJ R-185/78
Parties
Accused: Firma J. van Dam en Zonen; Accused: Firma J. en W. Lokker Corneliszonen; Accused: Rederij Delta B.V.; Accused: Firma Gebr. J. en W. Melissant; Accused: Firma C. Tanis Jaczn en Zonen; Accused: Jan Tanis; Accused: Firma Gebr. van der Klooster; Accused: Firma Jac. van der Klooster en Zoon; Accused: Jac. Tanis, Kmrszn en Zonen; Accused: Jan Grinwis; Accused: Anthonij Redert; Accused: Firma A. Redert en G. Tanis; Accused: Firma Joh. en Kr. Orgers Gerritzonen; Accused: Visserijbedrijf Wisselvalligheid B.V.; Accused: Johannes Tanis; Accused: Johannes Grinwis; Accused: Adam 't Mannetje; Referring Court: Economische Politierechter, Arrondissementsrechtbank Rotterdam
Jurisdiction
European Union
Judgment Date
03 July 1979
Procedural Posture
Preliminary Ruling (joined Criminal Proceedings) / Reference for Preliminary Ruling Under Article 177 EEC Treaty
Outcome
Preliminary ruling issued; questions answered as set out in the judgment.
Legal Topics
Conservation of Biological Resources, Fisheries Quotas, Member State Powers, Non Discrimination, Transitional Provisions Under Act of Accession
European Union Law Criminal Law Fisheries Law Conservation of Biological Resources Fisheries Quotas Member State Powers Non Discrimination Transitional Provisions Under Act of Accession

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Parties

Firma J. van Dam en Zonen

Accused

Firma J. en W. Lokker Corneliszonen

Accused

Rederij Delta B.V.

Accused

Firma Gebr. J. en W. Melissant

Accused

Firma C. Tanis Jaczn en Zonen

Accused

Jan Tanis

Accused

Firma Gebr. van der Klooster

Accused

Firma Jac. van der Klooster en Zoon

Accused

Jac. Tanis, Kmrszn en Zonen

Accused

Jan Grinwis

Accused

Anthonij Redert

Accused

Firma A. Redert en G. Tanis

Accused

Firma Joh. en Kr. Orgers Gerritzonen

Accused

Visserijbedrijf Wisselvalligheid B.V.

Accused

Johannes Tanis

Accused

Johannes Grinwis

Accused

Adam 't Mannetje

Accused

Economische Politierechter, Arrondissementsrechtbank Rotterdam

Referring Court

Procedural Posture

Preliminary Ruling (joined Criminal Proceedings) / Reference for Preliminary Ruling Under Article 177 EEC Treaty

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Expiry date of transitional period under Article 102 of the Act of Accession
  2. 2 Competence of Member States to adopt fisheries conservation measures during transitional period
  3. 3 Compatibility of national fishing quotas with Community law and non-discrimination principle

Ratio Decidendi

The transitional period under Article 102 of the Act of Accession expired on 31 December 1978. Until that date, and in the absence of Community measures, Member States were competent and obliged to adopt conservation measures compatible with Community law, including fishing quotas. Such national quotas are not discriminatory under Article 7 EEC Treaty if applied uniformly to all fishermen under the Member State's jurisdiction, regardless of whether other Member States apply less strict rules.

Court Disposition

Preliminary ruling issued; questions answered as set out in the judgment.

Orders

  • The period in Article 102 of the Act of Accession expired on 31 December 1978.
  • Measures such as the Dutch fishing quotas for 1978 were within Member State powers at the time.