Brussels, 20/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - During discussions last Thursday at the Council of Minister's fisheries working group, the EU Member States disagreed over the continuation of public aid for updating the fishing fleet. The experts were holding an initial exchange of views on the plan to establish a new EU fisheries fund (see Europe of 14 July 2004, p.12). The Agricultural and Fisheries Council will hold their first policy debate on this issue at its meeting on 22 November. The financial aspects of the proposal (EUR 3 billion over seven years) will be discussed at technical level by the Council's ad hoc group for the 2007-2013 financial framework.
In the priority concerning ways of changing the fishing fleet's capacities, the Commission establishes the contribution of aid to cover public aid for the decommissioning of ships; public aid for the temporary suspension of fishing; on-board investment for improving the selectivity of fishing craft; the funding of social and economic measures for fishermen facing economic problems (for diversifying their business, converting ships for other uses, early retirement, training for young fishermen wishing to buy their own ship for the first time). At the Council's fisheries working group, several Member States, including Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Malta, wanted the general aid for updating the fishing fleet to continue, but a different group of Member States (the UK, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands, for example) welcomed the Commission's desire to confirm the December 2002 decision on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), namely to put an end to aid for modernising the fishing fleet (except for on-board safety reasons).
The Member States also discussed the other priorities for funding under the European Fisheries Fund, namely:
Fish farming. France wants aid to be foreseen for sweet water fisheries. The Czech Republic suggested aid for updating companies should be allowed. Germany, Finland and Latvia highlighted the need to continue with aid for fishing in lakes, ponds, rivers and on ice. Italy wants economic development measures, particularly for small companies (this was also supported by Spain and Malta).
Measures of collective interest. (In the management of resources, fish farming sites, treating effluent, buying production, processing or marketing equipment.) France believes this aspect of the proposal does not go far enough and does not allow genuine management of quotas and fishing by professional fishermen.
Developing coastal areas. (Making the most of product, supporting diversification and the economic and social development of disadvantaged areas, promoting a high quality coastal environment, supporting and developing cooperation between national or transnational coastal fishing zones.) Latvia pointed out the danger of interference with other programmes (for rural development and regional funds) for coastal villages. Ireland, Greece and Cyprus welcomed the planned measures for developing small-scale sea fishing.
France insisted that ultra-peripheral regions be given special treatment. The Dutch representative opposed this request.