Brussels, 10/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The committee on fisheries of the European Parliament has amended the proposals on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to keep in place, for the period 2014-2020, assistance for fleet renewal and replacing engines, amongst other things, which has led to an outcry from environmental NGOs and certain politicians, speaking out against public subsidies which could encourage overfishing. The EP will vote in October on the report by Alain Cadec (EPP, France) on the EMFF. The committee on fisheries has declined to give the rapporteur a mandate to negotiate with the Council, with immediate effect. The plenary vote, followed by negotiations with the Council, will hold the process up slightly.
The rapporteur on the EMFF, Alain Cadec (EPP, France), voiced his satisfaction following the marathon vote (nearly 3,000 amendments, including 75 compromise amendments). “I cannot hide my satisfaction at seeing that, in their great wisdom, my colleagues have voted for sustainable fishing in a competitive sector”, Cadec told EUROPE.
The compromise amendment on fleet renewal was adopted by an extremely slender majority (11 votes to 10), which leaves room for uncertainty over the outcome of the plenary vote in October. It will allow the EMFF to support investment in the renewal of small-scale and coastal fishery vessels (namely, vessels of less than 12 metres in length) more than 35 years old, but under certain conditions. The investment must reduce the capacity, fishing effort and energy consumption of the vessel “by at least 40%”. “This is the only concrete measure of the reform of the common fisheries policy which reduces capacity, there are no others”, Cadec commented. This aid will be granted only to vessel owners and in return for the demolition of boats aged more than 35 years. The level of the support may not exceed 15% of the total investment or €80,000. “This means that it applies to the oldest, most dangerous and most energy-inefficient vessels”, the rapporteur stressed, referring to the aid to the building of new vessels.
It is worth noting that the amendments tabled by Spanish EPP members calling for scrapping (destruction) aid to be reintroduced were rejected.
Under a compromise agreement (15 votes to 10), the EMFF may support investment in on-board equipment, particularly removing, replacing or modernising engines (to reduce emissions of pollutants or greenhouse gases and increase energy efficiency), as long as the power output of the new engine is at least 40% less that of than the old one.
The MEPs voted (by 18 votes to 3) for the EMFF to be able to provide individual support to young fisherman under the following circumstances: - the beneficiary must be less than 35 years of age; - the beneficiary must have worked as a fisherman for at least five years; - he must be purchasing a coastal or small-scale fishing vessel for the first time, the age of the vessel must be between 5 and 20 years and it must have been used for fishing activities for the five preceding years. The level of the support may not exceed €100,000.
The EMFF may help towards the funding of measures for the temporary cessation of fishing activities under the following circumstances: - as part of a multi-annual plan; - during biological recovery periods. The aid will be granted in the form of financial compensation for the period of inactivity and may be allocated for a maximum of six months.
In order to facilitate diversification, the EMFF will be able to support activities complementing basic fishing activities with investment in equipment on board vessels for complementary activities (environmental services, education and tourism activities, refurbishment of vessels practising small-scale and coastal fisheries so that they can be reassigned for activities carried out outside commercial fishing). The level of financial aid may not exceed 50% of the budget earmarked in the business plan, with an upper limit of €100,000 per operation. The fisheries committee “did not want to make the EMFF an instrument for the redeployment of fishermen as proposed by the European Commission”, Cadec commented.
Lastly, storage aid has been kept in place (although it is to be phased out). This mechanism is felt to be vital for market regulation.
There are also plans for aid under the EMFF to improve the quality of products and support investment which helps to improve fishing port infrastructure.
Several NGOs (Oceana, WWF, Greenpeace) have criticised the results of the vote, stating that the aid provided will lead to an increase in fishing capacity and extra pressure on fish stocks. (LC/transl.fl)