MEPs on the European Parliament’s fisheries committee were critical on Wednesday 20 June of the slow take-up of funding from the current 2014-2020 European maritime and fisheries fund (EMFF) and discussed the proposal on the 2021-2017 EMFF (see EUROPE 11880).
The European Commission said that the take-up from the 2014-2020 fund on the ground was only 21%; disbursements to EU countries are only 4.5%.
Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spain) criticised the under-use of the 2014-2020 fund and said the system was labyrinthine. He urged that procedures be simplified for the 2021-2027 period for credits to be used. He was critical of the favourable treatment granted to small-scale fishing in the 2021-2027 EMFF proposal at the expense of other types of vessel. “Small-scale fishing should not be played off against industrial fishing”, he warned.
The Commission said it would grant a higher intensity of public aid to small-scale fishing because of jobs and their impact on coastal communities.
Mato and Clara Eugenia Aguilera (S&D, Spain) regretted the Commission’s refusal to grant aid from 2021, for modernising vessels. The Commission has, however, agreed to reintroduce support in the event of cessation of activities.
Liadh Ní Riada (GUE/NGL, Ireland) made the point that there were ever fewer small vessels in Ireland.
Several MEPs were unhappy at the 5% cut in the 2021-2017 EMFF. The Commission acknowledged that the reduction was not ideal but said it was balanced given the budgetary challenges and ambition of the EU. (Original version Iin French by Lionel Changeur)