The European Commission announced on Tuesday 2 July the launch of a consultation until 20 September 2019 with the goal of amending, in particular, the guidelines for State aid in the fisheries sector.
The consultation launched with stakeholders (public authorities responsible for granting State aid, beneficiaries of aid, producer organisations and associations, etc.) covers the entire regulatory framework for the control of State aid in the fisheries and aquaculture sector: - the de minimis Regulation (Commission Regulation (EU) No 717/2014); - the Block Exemption Regulation (Commission Regulation (EU) No 1388/2014); - the Guidelines for the examination of State aid in the fisheries and aquaculture sector (Communication 2015/C 217/01, as amended).
The Commission has embarked on a review of the State aid framework to bring it into line with the new rules applicable to the European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). As both Regulations will expire at the end of 2020, a review and replacement of these instruments will be necessary for the period 2021-2027. The consultation will cover all three State aid instruments. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)