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Fishing boats. (Photo: MARM)
Agreement to approve the EMFF regarded as 'positive'
SPAIN
Tuesday, February 04, 2014, 23:30 (GMT + 9)
The Spanish Government welcomes the agreement reached between the Council, the European Parliament (EP) and the European Commission (EC) for the approval of the new regulation of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
On behalf of the Council, these rules of procedure were validated by the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) in Brussels.
To materialize this agreement, the central government of Spain had to modify several proposals from December 2011 Commission, by which:
- Structural aid to the fishing fleet was removed (permanent and temporary stoppages and engine changes);
- The possibility of granting aid for investments on board fishing vessels was greatly reduced;
- Innovation aid for the processing industry was minimized.
Under the EMFF, structural aid to the fishing fleet for different cases are considered:
- The definitive stop until 31 December 2017, however, the payment period will last until 2019;
- Temporary cessation of fishing activities when necessary emergency measures have to be applied, it shall be provided in management plans or multi-annual plans or in the case of breaking off or non-renewal of a fisheries agreement with a third country;
- The replacement of engines for small-scale coastal fishing fleet without power addition. A 20 per cent power reduction for boats from 12 to 18 meters in length and 30 per cent for vessels up to 24 meters is required.
Likewise, the chances of aid for investments on board fishing vessels, such as those aimed at contributing to the diversification of income through fishing complementary activities are increased.
With regard to industry, the Spanish Government points out that investment to realize innovative projects, ensure traceability and the use of underexploited species and production campaigns are included.
It was also decided that funding for outermost regions will no longer be a separate fund and will be integrated into the EMFF.
In the case of the Canaries, funding between 2014 and 2020 amounts to EUR 60.9 million, as detailed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Magrama).
Meanwhile, the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) is sought in fisheries to ensure gradual elimination of discards through investments on board ships or in more selective fishing gears, as well as strengthening control measures.
Regarding aquaculture, size constraints of existing businesses in the current European Fisheries Fund (EFF) are eliminated, while new measures such as innovation, quality assurance, development of specific drugs, potentiation of common infrastructure and zoning, among others, will be incorporated, Magrama highlights.
The regulation of EMFF includes the financing of control and inspection activities (EUR 580 million) and basic data collection (EUR 520 million).
In addition, the integrated maritime policy will have EUR 71 million to be administered by Member States.
The total amount of EMFF is EUR 5,750 million.
Related article:
- Political agreement on the EMFF reached
By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
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