Commission proposes aid programme for expenditure in enforcement of CFP rules

Commission proposes aid programme for expenditure in enforcement of CFP rules

Fisheries reform and enlargement

DN: IP/03/1576 - Alternative Languages

20th November 2003

Today, the European Commission tabled a proposal for a two-year aid programme to help national authorities meet the cost of monitoring and control under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The EU aid will amount to €70 million over the 2004-2005 period. It will also become available to the new Member States when they join the EU to help them rapidly upgrade their control structures and to ensure the correct application of CFP measures.

Funding will continue to be available for the purchase of equipment, particularly for satellite and electronic monitoring equipment and for training of enforcement personnel. New projects will become eligible such as actions to raise awareness of the importance of enforcement for the conservation of fish stocks among stakeholders, enforcement authorities, the judiciary and the public.

The current funding scheme, applicable since 1 January 2001, will end on 31 December 2003. The proposed aid programme will apply from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2005 when the EU single inspection structure is expected to come into operation.

“There is evidence that the resources that Member States allocate to their enforcement systems are still inadequate. The growing list of endangered fish stocks clearly shows that weaknesses in control allow for the continuation of illegal practices that undermine the sustainability of fisheries. This aid shows the EU commitment to helping Member States tackle such weaknesses,” said Commissioner Franz Fischler, in charge of Agriculture, Rural Affairs and Fisheries.

· Measures eligible for support

The measures and initiatives eligible for aid under the proposal relate to :

· purchase of computer equipment and installation of IT networks; purchase of devices to locate fishing vessels ('blue boxes') and equipment for the electronic transmission of information from the vessel;

· pilot projects involving the new technologies, such as electronic weighing of catches on board, for monitoring fisheries activities;

· training and exchanges of inspectors; pilot projects for inspection plans and observer schemes;

· cost/benefit analysis and assessment of overall expenditure on inspections; initiatives such as seminars and media campaigns aiming to raise awareness of the need to ensure the correct application of CFP rules and to combat illegal practices that defeat the efforts of those who comply.

These initiatives would be targeted at operators subject to CFP rules in the fisheries sector, the authorities involved in control, monitoring and applying sanctions in cases of detected infringements, as well as at the public; purchase and modernisation of vessels and aircraft for inspections at sea.

Budget and rate of support

The annual budget will amount to €35 million in 2004 and 2005. The EU contribution will be 50% of the amount spent by the Member State concerned. It might be higher for the installation of 'blue boxes' and the devices for electronic reporting as well as for pilot projects involving new technologies for monitoring.

The rate of support for the purchase of equipment such as patrol vessels or surveillance aircraft, exclusively reserved for the new Member States, will be limited at 35%.

Background

Member States are responsible for the implementation of CFP rules. They must provide the necessary human and technical means to ensure the effectiveness of their enforcement systems. EU aid has been available since 1990 to help Member States meet certain expenditure in this area.

The strengthening of control and monitoring is one of the pillars of the CFP reform adopted last December. Under this reform, the application of the vessel monitoring system (VMS) will be extended to smaller vessels and the detection of vessels on the fishing grounds and transmission of information from these vessels will expand. The new Member States will have to ensure the application of CFP rules from the date of accession and will also need to ensure that they have the necessary structures and equipment. The Commission therefore proposes to provide funding to help meet some of these costs.

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