On Thursday 16 April, the European Commission decided to activate emergency aid from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), allowing Member States to provide financial compensation to fishers, aquaculture producers, processors and retailers whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East (see EUROPE 13849/4).
This measure (implementing decision) applies retroactively from 28 February. The financial support mobilised comes from the EMFAF envelopes already allocated to each Member State under their 2021-2027 national programme, with the European Union co-financing a share of the eligible expenditure.
The emergency support measures had been pre-allocated under the 2021-2027 EMFAF programme, leaving around €760 million immediately available out of an initial envelope of €1.3 billion.
Member States may grant two types of support under Article 26(2) of the EMFAF:
- compensation for operators in the fisheries and aquaculture sector for loss of income or additional costs;
- compensation for recognised producer organisations and associations of producer organisations that store fishery products.
The EMFAF crisis mechanism is a temporary measure. Support may be granted for expenditure incurred until the end of 2026.
EMFAF crisis support will shortly be supplemented by additional measures that Member States will be able to grant in the form of State aid. The Commission intends to adopt this temporary crisis framework by the end of April. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)