Article 3

Where the application of this Agreement raises special problems of a substantial nature in the light of the particular conditions of service of the fisherman or of the fishing vessels' operations concerned, a Member State may, on objective grounds, after consultation, exclude limited categories of fishermen or fishing vessels from the requirements of this Agreement or from certain of its provisions.

In case of exclusions under the preceding paragraph, the competent authority shall take measures, as appropriate, to extend progressively the requirements under this Agreement to all categories of fishermen or fishing vessels concerned within a maximum period of 5 years since the entry into force of this Agreement.

The application of this Article shall under no circumstances constitute grounds for justifying a reduction in the general level of protection of workers in the fields covered under EU law at the time of entry into force of this Agreement.