Brussels, 22/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - In Luxembourg on Monday 22 October, many delegations indicated that the first compromise text on the proposal on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) over the period 2014-2020 constituted a good basis for discussions with a view to compromise. However, the European Fisheries Ministers still have work to do before reaching an agreement, this Tuesday 23 October, on a partial general orientation on this fund, as there are many differences of opinion on certain aid to the fishing fleet, particularly schemes for scrapping vessels.
The first compromise text of the Presidency contains advances which were recognised by the countries. Amongst other things, it reintroduces aid to the permanent cessation of fishing activities (boat scrappage schemes), but under conditions which were felt by several countries, such as France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta, Ireland and Poland, to be too strict. This aid, under the text, would be authorised until 31 December 2016, could not exceed certain thresholds (€3 million, or 6% of the national envelope of the country) and would be accompanied by a fleet adaptation scheme. On the other hand, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Austria took position against this boat scrappage aid, which they feel is too expensive (€1.2 billion in total, according to the Commission) and has not helped to reduce the capacity of the fishing fleet. It is worth noting that Denmark is prepared to accept boat scrappage aid staying in place, as long as it is accompanied by strict conditions. France and Spain, amongst others, were calling for the scrappage aid to be extended until 2020.
The compromise also retains aid to the temporary cessation of fishing activities, but in the event of emergency measures and the non-renewal of the fisheries agreement with a third country. The maximum duration of this aid is six months and the financial contribution of the EMFF may not exceed €1 million or 3% of the aid allocated for each of the countries.
The text also provides support for the optional creation of transferable fishing concessions, the creation of conservation measures (Natura 2000, framework directive on the marine strategy) and for innovation (selectivity of fishing gears).
Measures are set in place to attenuate the efforts of climate change, such as engine replacement aid, but this will cover vessels of up to 24 metres only, and the power of the vessel must be 20% less than the engine replaced.
Among the other progress in this text welcomed by the delegations are improved support for the processing industries and a more generous start-up premium for young fishermen.
In addition, the text will keep in place storage aid for fisheries products, but with a degressive envelope until it is phased out by 2019. Several countries, such as France, Spain and Ireland, have asked for this aid to remain in place until 2020 without any reduction in its level.
Many delegations (France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal) stressed that the first compromise text constituted a good basis for discussions, subject to amendments. Many countries criticise the terms proposed for the EMFF funds to be divided up.
After the discussion on the first compromise text over lunch on Monday, trilateral meetings (Commission, Presidency, member state) were held until the end of the evening to draw up a new compromise text, to be presented this Tuesday 23 October. The Presidency's aim is to reach an agreement by the end of Tuesday afternoon. (LC/transl.fl)