Brussels, 13/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 13 October, the European Commission adopted a proposal amending the 2002 regulation on aid to the fleet to bring it into line with Council decisions on the new European Fisheries Fund (EFF) for 2007-2013. The amendment of Common Fisheries policy (CFP) rules follows on from the decision to authorise, with effect from 2007, public subsidies for engine replacement and to bring greater flexibility to the entry-exit scheme for fishing fleet capacity (see EUROPE 9242 and 9214).
The proposal allows a “gross tonnage bank” to be set up, allowing Member States to re-allocate up to 4% of the tonnage of vessels withdrawn from the fleet (with aid for destruction of boats) to cover modernisation work on active vessels. Member States will also be able to fund engine replacement or renewal, on condition that the new engine has at least 20% less power than the one it replaces. The Commission believes these two measures will both allow a reduction in the fishing capacity of the European fleet and encourage the sector to improve working conditions on board vessels.
The EFF provides for €3.849 billion (2004 prices) in commitment appropriations over the 2007-2013 period to the fishing fleet (modernisation to improve security and hygiene on board, rescue and restructuring of companies in difficulty, temporary cessation of fishing activities), aquaculture and development of fishing zones. (lc)