Brussels, 28/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 27 July, the EU Council formally adopted by written procedure the regulation on the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). European fisheries ministers reached agreement in Luxemburg on 19 June (see EUROPE 9214). Only Belgium and Poland abstained at the adoption of the text. Belgium would have preferred less strict rules on the criteria for granting aid to replace vessels' engines and Poland wanted more funds to support young fishermen.
From 2007, the EFF takes over from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). It will have a budget of €3.849 billion for the period from 2007 to 2013. Spain commands the lion's share, with €1 billion over seven years, followed by Poland with €650 million.
The Fund provides for aid to: - the fishing fleet (modernisation with a view to improving safety and hygiene on board, rescue and restructuring for firms in difficulty, temporary cessation of fishing activities for a maximum six-month period, the closure of fisheries for reasons of public health); - aquaculture (investment aid extended to small and medium-sized enterprises and firms with fewer than 750 employees or with turnovers of less than €200 million); - measures of common interest (collective actions, protection of aquatic flora and fauna, fishing ports, development of new markets, alterations to vessels for training or research purposes); - development of fisheries areas (strengthening of competitiveness of areas, conversion to other economic activities, increasing the value of products, protection of the environment, etc.) and technical assistance (evaluations, sharing experience).
Among the measures where negotiation between Member States was most difficult were: replacement of engines - with regard to investment on board fishing vessels, the EFF can contribute to the replacement of one engine per vessel on condition that, for vessels under 12 metres, the power of the new engine is equal to, or less than, that of the engine to be replaced, or, for vessels over 12 metres, the power of the new engine is 20% less that that of the old one, and in the case of trawlers more than 24 metres in length, the new engine must have at least 20% less power than the old one, and fuel-saving steps have to be taken; young fishermen - an individual premium may be granted to fishermen of less than 40 years of age (and who can prove that they have worked in the sector for at least five years in or have equivalent professional training) who wish to buy a first vessel, which must be less than 24 metres in length and be between five and thirty years old (the premium must not exceed 15% of the cost of the vessel nor exceed €500,000); tonnage reserve - 4% of tonnage corresponding to exits from the fleet may be allocated (without public aid) to fishermen who wish to improve the security and hygiene, working conditions and product quality on board vessels; - most remote regions - public aid for the renovation of fishing vessels in these regions is permitted until 31 December 2006 (such aid has not been allowed for Member State fishermen since 1st January 2005).