Brussels, 18/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 17 July, the presidents of Europêche, Niels Wichmann, and of the fisheries section of COGECA (the General Committee of Agricultural Cooperatives in the EU), Giampaolo Buonfiglio, have welcomed the decision of the Council of the EU of 15 July to help EU fishermen (see EUROPE 9705),
The EU organisations stress, however, that 'the crisis is still hitting and that the effect of the measures adopted will only be visible within some time as the EFF (European Fisheries Fund, Ed.) measures need to be reprogrammed and the implementation takes some time as well'. Europeche and COGECA urge note: 'From now on we will make sure that the Commission puts forward as soon as possible the additional measures announced in its Communication dated 8/07/08 to support the adaptation of the European fishing fleets to the economic consequences of the high fuel prices' namely market measures to increase the first sale prices and revision of some intervention mechanisms; increasing the 'de minimis' aid ceiling from €30,000 to €100,000; social aid in the form of lower social security contributions; and finding an extra €600 million (not covered by the EFF and current national contributions). (L.C. transl fl)