The European Commission, in a report published on 23 December, estimated that the implementation of the 2014-2020 appropriations for the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) “progressed considerably” in 2018.
Thus, a total of 2.4 billion euros of the appropriations have been committed to date, which accounts for 41.8% of the EMFF’s total financing. Payments to beneficiaries amounted to 1.1 billion euros or 18.9% of the total available.
The largest increase in terms of commitments and payments was recorded for data collection measures (362.4 million euros) and controls (293.5 million euros).
As far as sea basins are concerned, Member States representing the Atlantic Sea basin have committed almost 1 billion euros of funding under the EMFF.
The report shows that the degree of implementation of this fund varies considerably from country to country. Commitment rates range from 9% (Slovakia) to 88% (Malta), while the EU average is 41.8%. The Member States with the largest allocations are generally those with the largest total commitments: 303 million euros (26% of the total EMFF allocation) for Spain, 224 million euros for Portugal (57%), 222 million euros for Italy (41%) and 216 million euros for Poland.
Progress in absorbing funds also varies considerably between Member States. In relative terms, Ireland and Finland are in the lead (these countries have paid out more than 40% of the total amount available to beneficiaries). The countries with an absorption rate of less than 10% are Greece, Bulgaria, Slovenia and Slovakia. The EU average is 18.9%. The Commission notes that for every 2 euros committed, just under 1 euro was paid to the beneficiaries.
Six Member States have requested flexibility in the EMFF (see EUROPE 12392/19). Link to the report: http://bit.ly/2ZMvPRm (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)