[pic] | KOMMISSIONEN FOR DE EUROPÆISKE FÆLLESSKABER |

Bruxelles, den 20.7.2005

KOM(2005) 328 endelig

2005/0136(CNS)

Forslag til

RÅDETS BESLUTNING

om ændring af beslutning 2004/465/EF om EF-tilskud til medlemsstaternes programmer for fiskerikontrol

.

(forelagt af Kommissionen)

BEGRUNDELSE

EF har siden 1991 ydet finansiel bistand til medlemsstaternes fiskerikontrol. Denne politik er begrundet i de meget store udgifter, der er forbundet med overvågningen, navnlig når der er tale om inspektion til havs ved hjælp af patruljefartøjer og overvågningsfly og om investeringer i teknologi og it-net.

Med dette for øje har Rådet vedtaget fire beslutninger om EF-støtte til medlemsstaternes udgifter til fiskerikontrol: beslutning 89/631/EØF, der gælder for 1991-1995, beslutning 95/527/EØF, der gælder for 1996-2000, beslutning 2001/431/EF, der gælder for 2001-2003 og beslutning 2004/465/EF, der gælder for 2004-2005. En analyse af resultaterne af denne ordning viser tydeligt, at EF's finansielle bistand til medlemsstaterne har haft en særdeles positiv indvirkning på deres overvågningssystemer.

Beslutning 2004/465/EF udløber den 31. december 2005, og de nye finansieringsregler for fiskeriet (for perioden 2007-2013) træder først i kraft i 2007. Den nuværende finansieringsordning, der blev indført ved beslutning 2004/465/EF, bør derfor forlænges med et år, således at der også kan ydes EF-støtte til medlemsstaternes planlagte udgifter til fiskerikontrol i perioden, inden den nye finansieringsordning træder i kraft. For at fremme medlemsstaternes investeringer på området, bør der desuden tages hensyn til EF-Fiskerikontrolagenturets behov.

Forslaget til beslutning tager i alt væsentligt sigte på at forlænge beslutning 2004/465/EF med et år. De prioriteringer og foranstaltninger, der kan komme i betragtning til EF-tilskud, forbliver uændrede, idet der dog af hensyn til behovet for at øge den tekniske bistand til Kommissionen er tilføjet to nye foranstaltninger til listen over tilskudsberettigede foranstaltninger. Som følge af forlængelsen er fristen for medlemsstaternes indsendelse af oplysninger om fremskridt blevet ændret tilsvarende.

Der vil blive taget særlig hensyn til behovene i de medlemsstater, der tiltrådte Den Europæiske Union i 2004.

Der er afsat et beløb på 35 mio. EUR for 2006.

Kommissionen anmoder på denne baggrund Rådet om at vedtage vedlagte forslag.

2005/0136(CNS)

Forslag til

RÅDETS BESLUTNING

om ændring af beslutning 2004/465/EF om EF-tilskud til medlemsstaternes programmer for fiskerikontrol

RÅDET FOR DEN EUROPÆISKE UNION HAR -

under henvisning til traktaten om oprettelse af Det Europæiske Fællesskab, særlig artikel 37,

under henvisning til forslag fra Kommissionen[1],

under henvisning til udtalelse fra Europa-Parlamentet[2], og

ud fra følgende betragtninger:

(1) I den fælles fiskeripolitik fastsættes der generelle regler for bevarelse, forvaltning, ansvarlig udnyttelse, forarbejdning og afsætning af levende akvatiske ressourcer.

(2) I forordning (EF) nr. 2371/2002 af 20. december 2002 om bevarelse og bæredygtig udnyttelse af fiskeressourcerne som led i den fælles fiskeripolitik[3] understregedes behovet for øget samarbejde og samordning mellem medlemsstaterne og med Kommissionen for at skærpe kontrollen og modvirke adfærd, der er uforenelig med reglerne i den fælles fiskeripolitik.

(3) Den periode, der er omfattet af Rådets beslutning 2004/465/EF om EF-tilskud til medlemsstaternes programmer for fiskerikontrol[4], udløber den 31. december 2005.

(4) Som følge af budgetmæssige og administrative vanskeligheder i de medlemsstater, der tiltrådte den 1. maj 2004, har disse lande kun i meget begrænset omfang modtaget EF-støtte i henhold til den gældende støtteordning, der er indført ved beslutning 2004/465/EF.

(5) Det nye finansielle overslag omfatter perioden 2007-2013. For at undgå en afbrydelse af støtteudbetalingerne bør den økonomiske støtte, som ydes medlemsstaterne i henhold til beslutning 2004/465/EF, derfor videreføres i 2006.

(6) Beslutning 2004/465/EF bør desuden omfatte undersøgelser vedrørende fiskerikontrol og ordninger, der tager sigte på at lette indførelsen af nye kontrolteknologier -

VEDTAGET FØLGENDE BESLUTNING:

Artikel 1

I beslutning 2004/465/EF foretages følgende ændringer:

(1) Artikel 3, stk. 2, affattes således:

“2. Samtlige medlemsstater skal indsende deres årlige program for fiskerikontrol senest den 1. juni 2004 for 2004 og senest den 31. januar 2005 for 2005 og for 2006.”

(2) I artikel 4, stk. 1, indsættes følgende numre:

”i) administrative ordninger med Det Fælles Forskningscenter, der tager sigte på at indføre nye kontrolteknologier

j) undersøgelser vedrørende fiskerikontrol foretaget på Kommissionens initiativ.”

(3) I artikel 5, stk. 1, affattes første punktum således: ”Det finansielle referencegrundlag for gennemførelsen af de foranstaltninger, som der ydes tilskud til for perioden 2004-2006, er 105 mio. EUR.”

(4) I artikel 6, stk. 2, indsættes følgende litra:

”d) For de foranstaltninger, der er omhandlet i artikel 4, stk. 1, litra i) og j), kan tilskuddet udgøre 100 % af de tilskudsberettigede udgifter."

(5) I artikel 12, stk. 2, ændres datoen "den 31. december 2008" til "den 31. december 2010”.

(6) I artikel 16, litra b), ændres datoen "den 31. december 2006" til "den 31. december 2007”.

(7) Artikel 16, litra b), nummer v), affattes således:

” v) tilskuddets indvirkning på programmerne for fiskerikontrol i hele perioden 2001-2006”.

(8) I artikel 17 ændres datoen "den 30. juni 2007" til "den 30. juni 2008”.

Artikel 2

Denne beslutning anvendes fra den 1. januar 2006.

Artikel 3

Denne beslutning er rettet til medlemsstaterne.

Udfærdiget i Bruxelles, den

På Rådets vegne

Formand

LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. NAME OF THE PROPOSAL:

Community financial contribution towards Member States fisheries control programmes

2. ABM / ABB FRAMEWORK

Policy Area(s) concerned and associated Activity/Activities:Line 1107: Fisheries conservation, control.

3. BUDGET LINES

3.1. Budget lines (operational lines and related technical and administrative assistance lines (ex- B.A lines)) including headings:

11.07.02. Financial contribution to the Member States for expenditure in the field of control

3.2. Duration of the action and of the financial impact:

2006

3.3. Budgetary characteristics ( add rows if necessary ):

Budget line | Type of expenditure | New | EFTA contribution | Contributions from applicant countries | Heading in financial perspective |

110702 | Non-comp | Diff[5]/ | NO | NO | NO | No 3 |

4. SUMMARY OF RESOURCES

4.1. Financial Resources

4.1.1. Summary of commitment appropriations (CA) and payment appropriations (PA)

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Expenditure type | Section no. | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | n + 4 | n + 5 and later | Total |

Operational expenditure[6] |

Commitment Appropriations (CA) | 8.1 | a | 35,000 | 35,000 |

Payment Appropriations (PA) | b | 3,000 | 7,000 | 14,000 | 11,000 | 35,000 |

Administrative expenditure within reference amount[7] |

Technical & administrative assistance (NDA) | 8.2.4 | c |

TOTAL REFERENCE AMOUNT |

Commitment Appropriations | a+c | 35,000 | 35,000 |

Payment Appropriations | b+c | 3,000 | 7,000 | 14,000 | 11,000 | 35,000 |

Administrative expenditure not included in reference amount[8] |

Human resources and associated expenditure (NDA) | 8.2.5 | d | 0,378 | 0,378 | 0,378 | 0,378 |

Administrative costs, other than human resources and associated costs, not included in reference amount (NDA) | 8.2.6 | e | 0,055 | 0,12 | 0,020 | 0,020 |

Total indicative financial cost of intervention

TOTAL CA including cost of Human Resources | a+c+d+e | 35,433 | 0,498 | 0,398 | 0,398 | 36,727 |

TOTAL PA including cost of Human Resources | b+c+d+e | 3,433 | 7,498 | 14,398 | 11,398 | 36,727 |

Co-financing details

If the proposal involves co-financing by Member States, or other bodies (please specify which), an estimate of the level of this co-financing should be indicated in the table below (additional lines may be added if different bodies are foreseen for the provision of the co-financing):

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Co-financing body | Year n | n + 1 | n + 2 | n + 3 | n + 4 | n + 5 and later | Total |

…………………… | f |

TOTAL CA including co-financing | a+c+d+e+f |

4.1.2. Compatibility with Financial Programming

(x Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming.

( Proposal will entail reprogramming of the relevant heading in the financial perspective.

( Proposal may require application of the provisions of the Inter-institutional Agreement[9] (i.e. flexibility instrument or revision of the financial perspective).

4.1.3. Financial impact on Revenue

(x Proposal has no financial implications on revenue

( Proposal has financial impact – the effect on revenue is as follows:

NB: All details and observations relating to the method of calculating the effect on revenue should be shown in a separate annex.

EUR million (to one decimal place)

Prior to action [Year n-1] | Situation following action |

Total number of human resources | 3 + ½ | 3+ 1/2 | 3 + 1/2 | 3 + ½ |

5. CHARACTERISTICS AND OBJECTIVES

Details of the context of the proposal are required in the Explanatory Memorandum. This section of the Legislative Financial Statement should include the following specific complementary information:

5.1. Needs to be met in the short or long term

The objective of the Common Fisheries policy is to provide for sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources and of aquaculture in the context of sustainable development. In order to ensure the effective implementation of the CFP (control, inspection and enforcement of the rules of the CFP falls within the responsibility of Member States), the Community control and enforcement system for fisheries should be reinforced and co-operation and co-ordination between all relevant authorities should be strengthened.

This goal is being achieved through a number of actions performed by Member States which have been financed by the Community since 1990, and consequently in line with the objectives established under Council Regulation n° 2371/2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the CFP[11]. The financial assistance granted to Member States by the Community has been done on the basis of national programmes on expenditure for fisheries control purposes.

5.2. Value-added of Community involvement and coherence of the proposal with other financial instruments and possible synergy

Regulation n°2371/2002[12] establishes the obligations of Member States on fisheries control activities. However, without constant pressure and monitoring by the Commission, Member States will not fulfil their duties in accordance with the standards required by Community law. Furthermore, improvements towards an efficient control system throughout the Community will be difficult to achieve without incentives, in particular when new technologies shall be tested and introduced where appropriate.

5.3. Objectives, expected results and related indicators of the proposal in the context of the ABM framework

Objectives: The situation as regards control means of Member States seems to be very much the same as in the beginning of 2004. Under-capacities in fishing control are especially significant for new Member States. It is thus necessary that Community financial assistance continues to be available to Member States in 2006 in the form and conditions established under Decision 2004/465[13].

Results: Financing rates and conditions established under Decision 2004/465/EC remain unchanged, and are made applicable under the proposed Decision for one further year until 31.12.2006.

In particular, reimbursement on aircraft and vessel expenditure will continue to be applied under the proposed Decision with priority to the new Member States.

Indicators: The Commission will continue to focus on the assessment tools that can be considered the best indicators to assess the effectiveness of the policy (i.e. number of infringements detected over a period, the rate of procedures ended compared with the procedures opened, the number of inspections at sea or at ports, or the number of sightings recorded by the aerial surveillance). The information provided by IT systems able to collect data from landing points, thus controlling the level of catch uptake (in regard to available quotas and the status of stocks), are also important assessment elements.

5.4. Method of Implementation (indicative)

Show below the method(s)[14] chosen for the implementation of the action.

( x Centralised Management

(x Directly by the Commission

( Indirectly by delegation to:

( Executive Agencies

( Bodies set up by the Communities as referred to in art. 185 of the Financial Regulation

( National public-sector bodies/bodies with public-service mission

( Shared or decentralised management

( With Member states

( With Third countries

( Joint management with international organisations (please specify)

Relevant comments:

6. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

6.1. Monitoring system

The proposed Decision carries over for 2006 the principles and rules established in Decision 2004/465/EC on this issue. Expenditure must have been incurred in compliance both with the general condition specified in Decision 2004/465/EC and the specific conditions provided for by the future Commission decision fixing the amount granted.

On its side, the Commission may require Member States to carry out on-the-spot checks on projects or may decide to carry them out with its own officials.

The Commission maintains as well all existing checks and balances in regard to fraud: in particular, in the event any amount has been unduly paid, it shall be repaid to the Commission, with interest. It is worth noting that the Commission only reimburses invoices that the national administrations have paid.

Member States shall report yearly to the Commission how their programmes are implemented, any variation they had to introduce on their programmes and shall assess the impact of the expenditure on control, inspection and surveillance activities. The proposed Decision provides for a final assessment on the 2001-2006 programmes to be forwarded to the Commission in 2007.

The proposed Decision foresees that the report by the Commission on the outcome of the scheme will be sent to the European Parliament and the Council in 2008. In this report indicators mentioned above will be used to gauge the impact of this scheme.

6.2. Evaluation

6.2.1. Ex-ante evaluation

Through the financial scheme provided for by Decisions 89/631[15], 95/527[16], 2001/431[17] and 2004/465[18], Member States have with no doubt reinforced their control structures and their inspectors’ skills. This has been largely assessed in several documents, such as Commission’s Reports on the monitoring of the implementation of the CFP Rules by the Member States. Extensive details on the effects of such actions have also been given in the Legislative Financial Statement of Council Decision 2004/465/EC, in the Report of the Commission to the Council and European Parliament on Decision 89/631[19], the Report of May 2000 on Decision 95/527[20] and the Commission Communication on the compliance with the rules of the CFP of June 2003, which set up a Compliance scoreboard and was made available to the general public through the Commission's web-site[21].

If an overall conclusion is to be drawn from these documents, is that without further investments in equipment and training, the control systems of Member States will not be able to correspond to the standards required by Community law.

In addition, attention must be drawn to the fact that ten new Member States joined the Community on 1st May 2004, and that during 2004 some of these Member States faced internal budgetary problems which have made them have to delay certain expenditure on fisheries control for one or two years. Hence, in order to facilitate and speed up the attainment of Community standards in the fisheries control field, financial aid will continue to be necessary in the interim period between the expiry of Decision 2004/465 (i.e. 31.12.2005) and the date when the future Fisheries Control Agency becomes fully operational.

6.2.2. Measures taken following an intermediate/ex-post evaluation (lessons learned from similar experiences in the past)

Though assessment is very much dependant on specific monitoring, control and surveillance strategies adopted by each Member States (which are in turn a consequence of the different features of the fleet, the size of fishing grounds, quantity and value of catches landed), it appears that there is still room for improvement on the main issues of control i.e. patrol vessels and aircraft and technology systems and their network, the fitting on board of Vessel Monitoring Systems on board vessels, and training, the enhancement of pilot projects and cost/benefit analysis of expenditure in the control activity (in the case of all Member States).

Moreover, it is proposed to finance two new actions: the first will be aimed at setting up administrative arrangements with the Community Joint Research Centre (JRC), so that this body may provide technical assistance in the development of control techniques. The second will allow the Commission’s services to carry out studies on matters related to control issues.

6.2.3. Terms and frequency of future evaluation

The proposed Council Decision only affects the reports foreseen in Decision 2004/465/EC (articles 16 and 17) in their timing. All other elements of reporting already foreseen remain unchanged.

The final report to be drawn up by the Member States before 31.12.2007 will allow a thorough ex post evaluation of the scheme which will be presented the following year by the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council.

In the matter of control, it is not easy to quantify the results, especially in the short term. The overall goal of this initiative is to enhance a control culture among the stakeholders in the fisheries sector which will allow an unreserved compliance with the CFP rules. Without effective control, conservation rules are useless; without adherence to rules, control activities will never be successful.

7. ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES

The Member States shall verify and certify that expenditure for which a reimbursement is claimed has been incurred in compliance with the rules laid down by the Decision. If the Commission considers that the claim does not comply with the conditions laid down, it shall refuse to reimburse all or part of the expenditure at issue.

The Members States shall provide the Commission with any information it may request and they must keep supporting documents available to the Commission for at least 5 years from the date of reimbursement.

Commission officials may carry out or take part on ex-post control.

In the event of irregularity, any amount unduly paid shall be repaid to the Commission, together with interest.

8. DETAILS OF RESOURCES

8.1. Objectives of the proposal in terms of their financial cost

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

8.2.2. Description of tasks deriving from the action

- - In view of the principle of sound financial management, assure the respect of the Financial Regulation rules when implementing the concerned Community legislation.

- - Assure a good execution of available credits, in conformity with applicable rules and procedures.

8.2.3. Sources of human resources (statutory)

(When more than one source is stated, please indicate the number of posts originating from each of the sources)

(x Posts currently allocated to the management of the programme to be replaced or extended

( Posts pre-allocated within the APS/PDB exercise for year n

( Posts to be requested in the next APS/PDB procedure

( Posts to be redeployed using existing resources within the managing service (internal redeployment)

( Posts required for year n although not foreseen in the APS/PDB exercise of the year in question

8.2.4. Other Administrative expenditure included in reference amount (XX 01 04/05 – Expenditure on administrative management)

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Budget line (number and heading) | Year n | Year n+1 | Year n+2 | Year n+3 | Year n+4 | Year n+5 and later | TOTAL |

Other technical and administrative assistance |

- intra muros |

- extra muros |

Total Technical and administrative assistance |

8.2.5. Financial cost of human resources and associated costs not included in the reference amount

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Type of human resources | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Year n+4 | Year n+5 and later |

Officials and temporary staff (XX 01 01) | 0, 378 | 0, 378 | 0, 378 | 0, 378 |

Staff financed by Art XX 01 02 (auxiliary, END, contract staff, etc.) (specify budget line) |

Total cost of Human Resources and associated costs (NOT in reference amount) | 0, 378 | 0, 378 | 0,378 | 0, 378 |

Calculation– Officials and Temporary agents

Reference should be made to Point 8.2.1, if applicable

3 x €108 000 = € 324 000

½ x €108 000 = €54 000

Calculation– Staff financed under art. XX 01 02

Reference should be made to Point 8.2.1, if applicable

8.2.6 Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount EUR million (to 3 decimal places) |

XX 01 02 11 02 – Meetings & Conferences |

XX 01 02 11 03 – Committees[27] | 0,035 | 0,035 |

XX 01 02 11 04 – Studies & consultations | 0,10 | 0,10 |

XX 01 02 11 05 – Information systems |

2 Total Other Management Expenditure (XX 01 02 11) |

3 Other expenditure of an administrative nature (specify including reference to budget line) |

Total Administrative expenditure, other than human resources and associated costs (NOT included in reference amount) | 0,055 | 0,12 | 0,020 | 0,020 | 0,215 |

Calculation - Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount

[1] EUT C […] af […], s. […].

[2] EUT C […] af […], s. […].

[3] EFT L 358 af 31.12.2002, s. 59.

[4] EUT L 157 af 30.4.2004, s. 114. Berigtiget i EUT L 195 af 2.6.2004, s. 36.

[5] Differentiated appropriations

[6] Expenditure that does not fall under Chapter xx 01 of the Title xx concerned.

[7] Expenditure within article xx 01 04 of Title xx.

[8] Expenditure within chapter xx 01 other than articles xx 01 04 or xx 01 05.

[9] See points 19 and 24 of the Interinstitutional agreement.

[10] Additional columns should be added if necessary i.e. if the duration of the action exceeds 6 years

[11] JO L 358, 31.12.2002.

[12] See Art.23 (2) of R.n°2371/2002.

[13] A detailed exposé on this issue is to be found in point 5 (“Description and Grounds” of the Legislative Financial Statement of Decision 2004/465/EC.

[14] If more than one method is indicated please provide additional details in the "Relevant comments" section of this point

[15] JO L 364, 14.12.1989.

[16] JO L 301, 14.12.1995.

[17] JO L 154, 9.6.2001.

[18] JO L 157, 30.4.2004, as amended by JO L 195, 2.6.2004.

[19] COM(1995) 268.

[20] See Legislative Financial Statement to Decision 2004/465/EC, point 5.

[21] COM(2003) 344.

[22] As described under Section 5.3

[23] Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount

[24] Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount

[25] Cost of which is included within the reference amount

[26] Reference should be made to the specific legislative financial statement for the Executive Agency(ies) concerned.

[27] Specify the type of committee and the group to which it belongs.