G/SCM/Q2/EU/26  
 
25 February 2013  
(13-0991)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original: English  
 
 SUBSIDIES 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONS POSED BY THE UNITED STATES1 REGARDING THE NEW AND FULL 
NOTIFICATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION2 
 
 The following communication, dated 19 February 2013, is being circulated at the request of 
the Delegation of the European Union. 
 
 
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Question  
 Replying to several questions on de minimis  funding for fisheries, the EU states 
(p. 8):  
 The modest amounts that can be provided , the similarity of objectives with the 
EU's notified programmes and the marginal, if at all, effects of the aid on the EU's net 
importer position might not warrant an indivi dual notification by the EU Member State 
concerned. 
 
 Replying to several questions on block exemptions for fisheries, the EU states 
(p. 10):  
 
 The limited amounts that can be provid ed under this "block exemption", the 
similarity of objectives with the EU's notified programmes and the marginal, if at all, 
effects of the aid on the EU's net importer  position might not warrant an individual 
notification by the EU Member State concer ned of these programmes. Nevertheless, it 
should be noted that some of the programm es for which questions have been asked 
could have been included in previous EU notifications. 
 
 Replying to a question on the marketin g of fisheries products, the EU states 
(p. 20): 
  
 The limited amounts that can be provid ed under this "block exemption", the 
similarity of objectives with the EU's notified programmes and the marginal, if at all, 
effects of the aid on the EU's net importer  position might not warrant an individual 
notification by the EU Member State concer ned of these programmes. Nevertheless, it 
should be noted that some of the programm es for which questions have been asked 
could have been included in previous EU notifications. 
 
                                               
1 G/SCM/Q2/EU/22. 
2 G/SCM/N/220/EEC; G/SCM/N/220/EEC.Add.2, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.3, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.4, 
G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.5, G/SCM/N/220/ EEC/Add.6, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.7, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.8, 
G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.9, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.10, G/ SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.12, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.13, 
G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.14, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.15, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.16, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.18, 
G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.19, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.20, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.21, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.23, G/SCM/N/220/EEC/Add.26. G/SCM/Q2/EU/26 
 
- 2 - 
 
   Is it the EU position that the EU is not obligated to notify certain specific subsidies 
that otherwise should be notified? If so, upon which provisions of the Agreement on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures is the EU  making this claim? Please explain.   
 
Reply 
 
It is not the EU position that it is not obligated to notify certain specific subsidies that 
otherwise should be notified. The EU takes its notification obligations seriously and considers it a 
very important part of the work of this Committee in ensuring transparency among Members.   
In the EU's 2011 New and full notification, details were given concerning the mechanisms 
and objectives of the EU funding schemes i.e. the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) and the Common 
Organisation of Markets. National schemes in the fisheries sector, administered by Member States, 
reflect these objectives and those of the EU's Co mpetition Policy and are in line with the EU's 
Common Fisheries Policy. 
 As regards notification of the schemes administered at National level by Member States the 
EU will examine the matter with the Member St ates involved and will revert back to the 
Committee, if necessary.      
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