Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries on Tuesday 7 April broadly backed proposed measures to help the EU fisheries and aquaculture sectors cope with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic (see EUROPE 12460/10, 12458/6).
However, the EPP and GUE/NGL groups in particular have called for improvements to some of the measures (temporary stoppages, fishing from land, outermost regions), while the European Parliament has been called on to adopt the text quickly on 16 April.
The Commission has presented a proposal amending certain provisions of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to provide for three types of measures: – an allowance for temporary cessation of fisheries activities (up to 75% of the expenditure paid by the EU budget); – assistance to aquaculture farmers who have to suspend or reduce production; – support for producer organisations for the storage of fisheries and aquaculture products.
Pierre Karleskind (Renew Europe, France), chair of the Parliament Committee on Fisheries, stressed that the “quality of the content” of this proposal was “to be welcomed”.
Virginijus Sinkevičius, the European Commissioner for Oceans and Fisheries, presented the proposal and acknowledged that the fisheries and aquaculture sectors have been “hit hard” by the COVID-19 crisis. He listed the measures proposed since the beginning of the pandemic.
The EPP and GUE/NGL are still hungry. “You have responded to our requests, although there are still concerns”, said Gabriel Mato (EPP, Spain). He expressed the hope that the measures (valid until the end of December 2020) could be extended. On temporary cessation, he criticised the fact that the eligible vessels are those that have 120 fishing days in 2 years. He asked that the sector of those who fish from land be included.
On assistance for storage, Mr Mato regretted that the support benefits only fishermen affiliated to producer organisations. Lastly, he regretted the lack of new money to overcome the crisis. The EPP could table amendments to improve the proposal, Mr Mato said.
This proposal is insufficient, said João Ferreira (GUE/NGL, Portugal). He called for additional financial resources to address the crisis. There must be total flexibility in the use of funds, he asked. EU co-financing must be 100%, advocated Mr Ferreira. He also suggested the creation of a wage guarantee fund.
Quick agreement. “It is a good proposal”, said Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spain). She suggested that countries could carry over fisheries quotas not used in 2020 to 2021. Ms Aguilera stressed the importance of reaching an agreement quickly. Her group is therefore not expected to table any amendments.
Rosanna Conte (ID, Italy) said that revenues in the sector have declined and prices have collapsed. The proposals are “appreciable”, she summarised.
Grace O’Sullivan (Greens/EFA, Ireland) welcomed the significant efforts made by the Commission.
Mr Karleskind insisted that the aim is to adopt the text on 16 April, “with or without amendments, and it will also be necessary to reach agreement with the EU Council”. He will bring together the coordinators of the political groups to assess the next steps.
The Commissioner defended the exclusion of fishing from land and the 120-day rule to avoid compensating “sleeping vessels”. More than €2.2 billion would still be available in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), the Commissioner said.
He said he was prepared to use the 10% flexibility on the carry-over of quotas.
Pre-financing of the EMFF for 2020. In order to rapidly allocate available European public funds to the fight against coronavirus, the Commission has waived this year the obligation to request reimbursement of unspent EMFF pre-financing until the end of the programme, it said in a press release published on Tuesday 7 April.
In addition, since 30 March, the Commission has launched the annual 2020 pre-financing process for the EMFF and has paid out up to €160.3 million. “This allows the Member States to use the funds to accelerate investments in response to the coronavirus outbreak and ease the socio-economic burden caused by the crisis on the fisheries and aquaculture sectors”, the Commission says. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)