The European Commission said on Tuesday 24 March that it was currently in contact with the fisheries, aquaculture and processing sectors, as well as with Member State authorities and the European Parliament, “to urgently look into further effective support tools” for sectors in difficulty due to the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The actions envisaged “could include legislative measures as well”, the European Commission said in response to a question from EUROPE.
Several MEPs and EU business organisations are calling for an amendment to the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) regulation to allow compensation for companies in the sector that have to cease their activities because of Coronavirus (see EUROPE 12452/17).
In addition to the measures already announced or taken, such as the increase in the ceiling for de minimis aid (from EUR 30,000 to EUR 120,000 per company), the European Commission recalled the series of measures under the current EMFF rules that are already available for immediate use: - producers’ organisations can adapt their Production and Marketing Plans (PMPs) to the new/future situation in order to continue a certain level of fishing activity to ensure their economic viability and a stable supply to the market; - Member States are strongly advised to use the possibility for an advance of at least 50% of the financial support provided to the Production and Marketing Plans; - the EMFF provides financial support to Fisheries Local Action Groups.
These subjects will be discussed on Wednesday 25 March at the videoconference of European Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers, in the presence of the Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius (see EUROPE 12451/14). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)