MEP François-Xavier Bellamy (EPP, France) suggested on Monday 12 April some important changes to the European Commission’s proposal on the Brexit adjustment reserve, including the much-debated change in the allocation key for the funds (see EUROPE 12693/12, 12679/10).
On Monday, the European Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries debated Mr Bellamy’s draft opinion on the proposal to set up the Brexit adjustment reserve and was divided on the change in the allocation key.
The rapporteur, Mr Bellamy, confirmed that he was proposing, among other things, to extend the eligibility period to June 2026 for the fisheries sector and to change the allocation key for the funds (the calculation used for fisheries).
“We need to restore some fairness”, said Pierre Karleskind (Renew Europe, France), chair of Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries.
Nicolás González Casares (S&D, Spain) also said that “the Commission’s proposal is not satisfactory and the allocation key is unfair”. Rosanna Conte (ID, Italy) also criticised the allocation key (dependency criterion) proposed by the Commission.
Francisco José Millán Mon (EPP, Spain) and Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spain) supported the amendments suggested by Mr Bellamy. Francisco José Millán Mon also asked that the budget for fisheries be increased from 600 million to 1 billion euros.
On the contrary, Søren Gade (Renew Europe, Denmark) considered it necessary to “support the Commission’s initial proposal” to help only those countries hardest hit by Brexit.
Grace O'Sullivan (Greens/EFA, Ireland) noted that the impact of Brexit on Ireland had been taken into account “in the Commission’s proposal”. Like Mr Gade, she is opposed to the change in the calculation proposed by Mr Bellamy. “Solidarity and equity must come first”, she said.
Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR, Netherlands) also disagreed with the changes Mr Bellamy wanted to make to the allocation key and to the inclusion of territories with special status (such as the overseas territories). The processing industry and fish farmers should not be included in the scope, Mr Ruissen said.
Peter van Dalen (EPP, Netherlands) also supported the Commission’s original proposal and criticised the changes introduced by Mr Bellamy on the allocation key and on the inclusion of special status territories. He noted that his French, Spanish and Italian colleagues supported the amendments introduced by Mr Bellamy.
“I am not defending the French position“, Mr Bellamy said. He argued that “the same level of support should be given to all fishermen depending on the impact they are experiencing on their own business as a result of Brexit”.
4th Vice-Chair. Also on Monday, Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries elected its 4th Vice-Chair, Graça Carvalho (EPP, Portugal). She was the only candidate. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)