Brussels, 08/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 8 January, the European Commission announced the adoption of several operational programmes for the implementation of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), for the 2007-2013 period.
Italy. Total eligible public spending is €848,685,708 within the EU for the period 2007-2013. EU assistance via EFF is €424.3 million. Italy places emphasis on aid to the fisheries fleet (€165 million from EU funding).
Portugal. Total eligible public expenditure through the EFF is €324.9 million, with EFF assistance amounting to €246.5 million, €223.9 million allocated to the poorest regions (Norte, Centro, Alentejo, Algarve and Azores), and €22.5 million to the non-convergence regions (Lisbon and Madeira). The largest part of funding (€90 million from Community funds) is for measures of common interest (collective actions to protect fauna and flora, fishing ports, etc.).
Romania. The operational programme for this programme in public funding is €307.6 million, of which €230.7 million come from the European budget. Funding is mainly allocated to fisheries (€105 million from the EFF).
Estonia. Total eligible public expenditure is €112.7 million (€84.6 million from the EFF). The largest part goes to fisheries. (L.C.)