Brussels, 15/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission decided to extend by one year, until 31 December 2002, the "Multi-Annual Guidance Programme" (MAGP IV) intended to limit the EU's fisheries capacities. The aim sought by Franz Fischler is twofold: review these programmes in the framework of the reform, in 2003, of the common fisheries policy (CFP), while tightening certain provisions of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (Fifg), notably those governing the conditions for granting public assistance to the building or modernization of vessels.
The Commission proposes pursuing the same level of reductions in fishing in 2002 as was the case for the first five years (1997-2001). For public aid to be granted, it will now have to meet the following requirements: - be dependent on the respect, by the Member State, of objectives set by the MAGP for all segments of its fleet and not, as is currently the case, only the segment concerned; - no aid may be granted in countries envisaging reducing fishing simply be limiting the days of outings at sea; - public aid will no longer be granted in case of the permanent transfer of fishing vessels to third countries exercising their activities according to fraudulent practices contrary to international rules.
Another proposal that risks being controversial: the abolition of the exemption which, for reasons of safety (as well as for hygiene and working conditions), enable shipowners to increase their tonnage or power of their engines.