On Wednesday 22 April, the EU Council of Ministers adopted the Regulation providing for support measures for fishermen and fish farmers in difficulty as a result of the coronavirus (see EUROPE 12469/8).
The new rules, due to enter into force on 25 September (the text will be published in the EU’s Official Journal on 24 April), amend provisions of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Regulation and the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation.
The text allows for the following types of contribution: – aid for the temporary cessation of fishing activities (maximum co-financing rate of 75% of eligible public expenditure); – support for aquaculture enterprises which have had to cease or reduce production; – aids for fishermen on foot; – a derogation for new fishing vessels to receive the aid; – flexibility to use 10% of the budget funds allocated to control activities; – working capital for aquaculturists in the event of reduced sales; – aid for the storage of fisheries and aquaculture products.
Expenditure for operations supported under these new measures will be eligible from 1 February 2020 until the end of December 2020.
Link to the text of the rules: https://bit.ly/3bsm14c (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)