Brussels, 14/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has authorised part of French aid providing for compensation to breeders of molluscs and shellfish, as well as seafaring fishermen affected in December 1999 by a violent storm. The measures authorised concern the seaboard area stretching from Finistere to the Gironde. The Commission authorised part of the scheme under aid earmarked to remedy damage caused by natural disasters or other extraordinary events, provided for in the EC Treaty, considering that there was no over-compensation for the losses. It has also initiated a formal examination procedure against aid granted in January 2000 to mollusc and shellfish breeders in the form of tax relief on social charges, a reduction in their financial burden and exemption to the charges for renting sea bottoms and for which it does not yet have sufficient information. It is also investigating reductions in social charges granted to seagoing fishermen.