EN

Brussels, 9.6.2009

COM(2009) 261 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

on the implementation of the Action Plan for simplifying and improving the Common Fisheries Policy

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

on the implementation of the Action Plan for simplifying and improving the Common Fisheries Policy

1. THE CONTEXT

The Commission adopted in December 2005, the 2006-2008 Action Plan for simplifying and improving the Common Fisheries Policy (COM(2005)647) [1]. This Plan was conceived as a contribution to the initiative of the Commission aimed at simplifying the regulatory environment to the benefit of citizens, businesses and administrations.

The Plan was examined and supported by the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Fisheries Council.

The actions listed in the Plan were regularly supplemented by those inserted in the annual Commission's Simplification Rolling Programme (SRP), some of which related to fisheries.

Member States have been informed through bi-annual progress-reports [2] of actions taken in the fisheries sector under the better regulation agenda [3]. The initiative was composed of actions aimed at achieving clearer legal texts, the reduction of administrative costs, enhancing the quality of the new initiatives and the streamlining of data transfer.

It is now time to take stock of what has been achieved to date, with a view to considering new initiatives and addressing possible shortcomings. It would also be the ideal occasion to consider what has been done at national level on simplification, since better regulation is a common goal of the Community and Member States. However, since the Commission services have received limited feedback from the Member States, it is currently not possible to report on their results [4].

2. THE CONTENT OF THE ACTION PLAN

In accordance with the objectives set out in the Action Plan, the following domains shall be examined in this survey:

· the screening of the body of the Community law relating to fisheries (the acquis communautaire);

· the main legislative initiatives adopted to date;

· the reduction of administrative burdens imposed on fishermen by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) rules.

2.1. The acquis communautaire

The Commission launched the screening of the body of the Community law in order to ascertain whether a number of legal acts should be removed or codified in order to achieve clearer legislation while reducing, at the same time, the number of pages of legislation in force [5].

The Directory of Community legislation in force gathers acts relating to fisheries under the Chapter 04. The number of acts has consistently increased, and as of 1st March 2009, 795 acts were listed in the Directory.

Such scale of legal acts in force in a sector like fisheries, which has a limited economic weight and a restricted number of operators, requires explanation. There are three main reasons which contribute to this figure.

First, there is the problem of the need for more precise classification under existing headings of some acts which are currently listed under different sections of the Chapter 04, thereby increasing the total number of acts.

Secondly, extensive legislation currently produced by Regional Fisheries Organisations (RFO) entails the transposition of their recommendations into Community law through a significant number of specific legal acts. It is expected that this need for transposing into Community law will decrease once most of the RFO's forthcoming rules are already in force within the EU.

Thirdly, some acts are obsolete, i.e. without having any legal effect though formally still in force, and shall be removed from the active part of the acquis. Examination carried out has identified some 60 acts as obsolete The repeal of these acts has been proposed through the adoption of legal acts having the same form of the act to be repealed [6].

Finally, the number of acts will be decreased because some acts have been codified [7] or will be codified [8], especially after the adoption of the new fisheries control system which will amend no less than 11 Regulations.

The outcome of these actions will also make easier for the user, the access to legislation relating to fisheries. This goal was in mind when it had been envisaged to incorporate relevant legislation in force in a given sea area into the European Atlas of the Seas [9], a project aimed at mapping out the spatial extent of European marine policies. With such a tool, stakeholders can quickly understand the overlapping legal constraints when operating in the various sea areas of the EU.

2.2. Main legislative initiatives

The main legislative initiatives inserted in the Action Plan and in the Commission's SRP concern the following areas:

(a) rational exploitation of fisheries resources;

(b) collection of data relating to fishing activities;

(c) monitoring of fishing activities;

(d) granting of public aid.

(a) With regard to the measures aimed at simplifying legal texts relating to conservation goals, changes have been introduced in several regulations governing the annual setting of TAC and quotas in order to make those texts clearer, especially by resisting the practice of making them catch-all acts.

The most noteworthy initiative however, was the introduction of a new working method for preparing annual Council Decisions on fishing opportunities, through enhanced consultation with stakeholders and better coordination with scientific advisers. Well in advance of the yearly legal proposals, the Commission now presents a Communication containing a Policy Statement on the fishing opportunities for the following year [10]. This working method has proven to be effective in improving outcomes, especially through the consultation of stakeholders on the preparation of texts which are of great importance to the industry.

Another significant initiative is the Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the conservation of fisheries resources through technical measures [11]. This text which has benefited from a broad consultation intends to achieve several simplification goals. First, it will replace existing legislation which has become difficult to read as it has been repeatedly amended; secondly it will introduce simpler and harmonised measures tailored to regional dimensions; thirdly it will set clear distinction between guiding principles which shall be the competence of the Council; fourthly it will assign the adoption of purely technical rules for each of the four regions to the Commission and, fifthly it will give management powers to Member States under precise circumstances. Unfortunately, reservations have so far slowed down the adoption of this much-awaited text.

(b) The CFP shall be based on the best scientific, technical and economic analyses. Therefore the collection of data relating to fishing activities is of paramount importance. The existing Community framework needed to be reviewed, in particular with a view to improving quality and promoting cooperation among Member States. Moreover experience proved that it was essential to streamline the collection of relevant data and avoid duplication. The system should also be consistent and cost-effective. Having all these goals in mind, a new Community framework was adopted [12]. In the same vein, the implementing rules were designed in a way that allows for the reduction of bureaucratic workload while encouraging the extended use of electronic means [13].

(c ) Monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activities are an essential component of the CFP. They were conceived at the very outset of this policy and have since continued to develop. It is not surprising therefore that this legislation is very complex and costly. The control system is complex as, over the years, layers of provisions have been adding up, generally scattered across different regulations, often stemming from international law. Rules are sometimes overlapping when not conflicting. The existing system is also costly and burdensome for the administration and the industry since it imposes many administrative requirements.

A thorough revision of the control regime is at the centre of the simplification exercise for the CFP. This goal was in mind when proposing measures as regards:

· recasting of existing provisions relating to the control regime;

· organising the fight against illegal fishing;

· promoting the use of modern technologies;

· managing fishing authorisations.

The expected outcome shall be a single piece of legislation containing general rules governing all aspects of control [14] and a general system designed to curb illegal fishing irrespective of where such activity is carried out, and while benefitting from the world's most advanced control standards and techniques [15]. The new legislation also constitutes a bold move towards a paperless environment for recording and reporting data relating to fishing activities [16] and a uniform, simplified and user-friendly system for obtaining authorisation to fishing activities outside Community waters [17].

Thanks to these initiatives, legislation has become clearer and consistent, and furthermore its implementation less costly, as detailed under the Chapter 4.

Amongst the initiatives aimed at the improvement and simplification of control rules, should be mentioned the Draft Commission Regulation laying down detailed rules for the use of Community harmonised fish Conversion Factors (CF) in European Union flagged vessels and amending Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2807/83.

CF are used for quota management to convert the processed weight of fish products into the live weight of the species and are mainly used to assure the accuracy of data recorded in logbooks. The existence of different CF between Member States creates difficulties and a degree of inequality in terms of control and enforcement. Thus there is a need to simplify and harmonize CF in the European Union. To this end, this Regulation defines Community CF and presentation codes to be used by national administrations when calculating their quota uptake, as well as by masters of fishing vessels to estimate the live weight of the catches onboard fishing vessels and upon landing.

(d) Under certain conditions, businesses may benefit from public aid originating from national or Community budget. In order to make legislation clearer, namely by reducing the number of legal acts, the new legislation on the financial instrument for fisheries is made up by a sole regulation [18] and its implementing rules [19]. Furthermore, to make the granting of aid less onerous, financial contribution from Member States to operations co-financed by the European Fisheries Fund and being part of an operational programme, shall not undergo scrutiny with regards compliance to Community rules on state aids. This exemption has recently been extended to aid granted by Member States in the context of the specific action in support of enterprises affected by the economic crisis induced by the high level of oil prices in 2008 [20].

As regards financial support to businesses active in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, charged against the national budget, two initiatives resulting in simplification of procedures shall be mentioned here. In accordance with the de minimis aid regulation, the grant of an amount raised at a maximum of 30.000€ per business, over a three year period, shall not be notified to the Commission [21]. Moreover, by virtue of another regulation [22], certain types of aid to businesses operating in the production, processing and marketing of fisheries products are exempted, under specific conditions, from the requirement of prior notification to the Commission, since they are deemed to be compatible with the Community law. This act concerns small and medium-sized businesses, thus almost all EU undertakings, and considerably alleviates administrative burden.

3. DATA MANAGEMENT

In order to be able to devise adequate measures aimed at achieving sustainable exploitation of biological marine resources and to monitor correct and uniform implementation of those measures, Commission services shall gather and analyse a significant set of data, mostly received from Member States and delivered throughout the year. Though technological progress has dramatically improved the quality of, and the timeliness of the collection of data, the handling of huge amounts of sets of data requires sustained enhancement of data management systems.

It was for this reason that, since the nineties, the Commission has been a forerunner in the introduction of modern technologies in the fisheries sector, and has promoted their use, constant expansion and upgrading at national level, starting with the Vessel Monitoring Systems, a powerful tool which allows remote control of vessels activities.

The Simplification Action Plan put particular emphasis on an extended use of Information Technology, with a view to promoting a paperless environment, namely on the recording and transmission of data relating to fishing activities as well on the management of authorisations for EU and non-EU vessels to fish [23]. Specific and detailed communication means have been elaborated, such the Electronic Reporting System (ERS) and the Fishing Authorisation Permits (FAP). These IT tools will complement those designed to manage the handling of data relating to fleet, fishing vessel activities and marketing of fish products. Networks may be further developed by creating links with EDMONET, the European Marine Observation and Data Network, foreseen in the Communication on An integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union [24] .

4. REDUCTION OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS

The collection and transmission of data is based upon provisions laid down in Community law. The number of these reporting obligations (RO [25]) has constantly increased over the years. RO are a source of cost for administrations and enterprises and they shall be removed when unnecessary. To this end, an examination of RO stemming from CFP law has been launched by the Commission service since the adoption of the Action Plan with the aim of repealing RO which are obsolete, redundant or of limited value. When the examination is completed, those RO which are needed for policy or control purposes will be introduced into a dedicated database open to Member States (OBONT: OBligation On the NeT). This tool will allow each administration to be kept informed of what data it shall transmit to the Commission, the format, and on what date.

The European Council, in March 2007, underlined the importance of reducing administrative burdens as a measure for boosting Europe's economy. It fixed the target of reducing such burdens arising from EU legislation by 25% by 2012 [26].

The CFP shall contribute to this objective and is inserted amongst 13 priority areas selected by the Commission to undergo a measurement of administrative costs. The fisheries control system [27] – which is by far and logically the most important sector in terms of number of RO – has been chosen for the mapping and the measurement of costs arising from RO, using the EU Standard Cost Model (SCM [28]). This model is essentially based on the amount of time and money spent by businesses when complying with legal obligations to provide information to public authorities or third parties (reporting, inspection, statistics, etc).

Based on estimations provided by an external consultant, RO requested by the current fisheries control system resulted in a cost for business of some 80 M€, most of which as a consequence of filling and handling of logbooks, landing declarations and sale notes [29].

The new control system, which will be based on an extended use of information and communication technologies and efficient use of databases, will lead to a reduction of administrative burdens for the fishing industry of up to 30 % of the current costs.

Beyond the initiatives listed in the Action Programme on reducing administrative burdens in the EU [30], cost reductions in the fisheries sector have been achieved through other measures. An example of a tailor-made measure in the health domain is the exemption for vessels of less than 12 metres fishing for periods of less than 24 hours, from the record-keeping requirement and the related inspection obligation under the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) scheme. The resulting savings are estimated to be around 14 M€ [31].

In the near future, a computerised management of requests and issues of fishing authorisations for vessels will also result in a significant reduction of costs for businesses. Furthermore, one of the goals of the forthcoming reform of the CFP, will be to curb the need for handling data at the Commission's level [32].

5. IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Impact Assessment (IA) is a process aimed at structuring and supporting the development of policies. Its aims are to improve the quality of Commission proposals and to simplify the regulatory environment. It should lead to proposals which are proportionate to the scope. Thus, they should take into account their likely impacts in the economic, environmental and social fields. IA may lead to a decision to abandon an action.

16 initiatives related to fisheries have undergone an IA, 13 of which have been submitted to the scrutiny of the Impact Assessment Board, an advisory body created by the Commission in 2006 to ensure more consistent and high quality of Impact Assessments. Its opinions on proposals relating to fisheries are published [33].

The Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries adapted its administrative structure in order to fully comply with the IA requirements. Officials received special training and are kept abreast of developments, in order to ensure the best possible assessment of each important initiative.

6. CONSULTATION OF STAKEHOLDERS

The Commission is committed to encouraging more involvement of interested parties through a more transparent consultation process, which will enhance the Commission’s accountability. To this end, it regularly consults the stakeholders of the sector, mainly through the Advisory Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture (ACFA) [34] and the Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) [35], which are now 7 in number.

As regards ACFA, the Commission organised 49 meetings of the Working Groups and 12 plenary meetings. ACFA issued 21 advices to the Commission and 18 Resolutions and Position Papers. ACFA also gave oral advice to 16 consultations carried out by the Commission during this period. The main lines of the new reform of the CFP will be discussed by an ad-hoc group.

During the same period, the Commission organised some 60 meetings of RACs, addressed on average 10 consultation papers every year to them and received some 250 recommendations.

In addition to targeted consultations, the Commission also widely consulted stakeholders by posting questionnaires on the Commission's web-site on issues such as for example, Maritime Policy, the fight against IUU fishing, sharks, fisheries control and enforcement and most recently, the Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.

7. PLAN OF ACTION

Although commitments listed in the Action Plan have been met, efforts to simplify the regulatory environment concerning fishing and related activities will be continued, since the tasks set by the better regulation agenda are of a permanent nature.

Specific initiatives on the simplification of the CFP will be inserted in the Programme the Commission presents annually. For instance, in the 2009 programme is mentioned the revision of rules governing market organisation with a view, in particular, to improving legal clarity and reducing administrative burden through extended use of electronic reporting.

Cutting pointless reporting obligations will also remain a main objective as well as regrouping legal provisions in fewer acts, while improving their clarity and accessibility.

Simplification goals will be kept in mind when drawing up the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, while the impact of procedural rules that the Lisbon Treaty will have on the legislative process, will also be taken into due consideration.

The Commission encourages Member States to commit themselves to a simplified regulatory environment, by cancelling needless requirements established by domestic legislation and by promoting the resort to ICT.

ANNEX

List of acts related to the "Simplification Action Plan"

Proposals

– Proposal for a Council Regulation authorising the Commission to approve modification to protocols of fisheries partnership agreements concluded between the European Community and third countries (COM(2007)595, 15.10.2007);

– Proposal for a Council Regulation concerning the conservation of fisheries resources through technical measures (COM(2008)324, 04.06.2008);

– Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy control (COM/2008/721, 14.11.2008);

– Draft Commission Regulation laying down detailed rules for the use of Community harmonised fish conversion factors in European Union flagged vessels and amending Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2807/83.

Communications

– Communication from the Commission improving consultation on community fisheries management (COM(2006)246, 24.05.2006);

– Commission's Policy Statement on fishing opportunities for 2007 (COM(2006)499, 15.09.2006);

– Commission's Policy statement on fishing opportunities for 2008 (COM(2007)295, 06.06.2007);

– Commission's Policy statement on fishing opportunities for 2009 (COM(2008)331, 30.05.2008);

– Communication from the Commission on improving fishing capacity and effort indicators under the Common Fisheries Policy (COM(2007)39), 05.02.2007);

– Communication from the Commission establishing formal recognition that a certain number of Acts of Community law in the field of the Common Fisheries Policy have become obsolete (OJ C 43, 21.02.2009, p.2).

Council acts

– Council Decision 2009/xx/EC repealing Directive 83/515/EEC and 11 obsolete Decisions in the field of the Common Fisheries Policies…..;

– Council Decision 2007/409/EC amending Decision 2004/585/EC establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 155, 15.06.2007, p.68);

– Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 on the European Fisheries Fund (OJ L 223, 15.08.2006, p.1);

– Council Regulation (EC) No 1941/2006 of 11 December 2006 fixing the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks applicable in the Baltic Sea for 2007 ( OJ L 367, 22.12.2006, p. 1);

– Council Regulation (EC) No 1966/2006 on electronic recording and reporting of fishing activities and on means of remote sensing (OJ L 409, 30.12.2006, p.1);

– Council Regulation (EC) No 41/2007 of 21 December 2006 fixing for 2007 the fishing opportunities and associated conditions for certain fish stocks and groups of fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, in waters where catch limitations are required (OJ L 15, 20.01.2007, p. 1);

– Council Regulation (EC) No 1098/2007 of 18 September 2007 establishing a multiannual plan for the cod stocks in the Baltic Sea and the fisheries exploiting those stocks, amending Regulation (EEC) No 2847/93 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 779/97 (OJ L 248, 22.09.2007, p. 1);

– Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 concerning the establishment of a Community framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the Common Fisheries policy (OJ L 60, 05.03.2008, p.1);

– Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p.1);

– Council Regulation No (EC) 1006/2008 concerning authorisations for fishing activities of Community fishing vessels outside Community waters and the access of third country vessels to Community waters, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/90 and (EC) No 1627/94 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 3317/94 (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p.33);

– Council Regulation (EC) No xx/2009 repealing 14 obsolete Regulations in the field of the Common Fisheries Policy…..

Commission acts

– Commission Decision 2009/309/EC repealing 13 obsolete Decisions in the field of the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 90, 02.04.2009, p.24);

– Commission Regulation (EC) No 498/2007 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 on the European Fisheries Fund (OJ L 120, 10.05.2007, p.1);

– Commission Regulation (EC) No 875/2007 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to de minimis aid in the fisheries sector and amending Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004 (OJ L 193, 25.07.2007, p. 6);

– Commission Regulation (EC) No 696/2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council regulation (EC) No 104/2000 as regards the extension to non-members of curtains rules adopted by producers' organisations in the fisheries sector (OJ L 195, 24.07.2008, p. 6);

– Commission Regulation (EC) No 736/2008 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to small and medium-sized enterprises active in production, processing and marketing of fisheries products (OJ L 201, 30.07.2008, p. 16);

– Commission Regulation (EC) No 665/2008 of 14 July 2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 concerning the establishment of a Community framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 186, 15.07.2008, p.3);

– - Commission Regulation (EC) No 1077/2008 of 3 November 2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1966/2006 on electronic recording and reporting of fishing activities and on means of remote sensing and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1566/2007 (OJ L 295, 04.11.2008, p. 3);

– Commission Regulation (EC) No 148/2009 repealing 11 obsolete Regulations in the field of the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 50, 21.02.2009, p.10);

– Commission Regulation (EC) No 248/2009 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council regulation (EC) No 104/2000 as regards notifications concerning recognition of producer organisations, the fixing of prices and intervention within the scope of the common organisation of the market in fisheries and aquaculture products (recast) (OJ L 79, 25.03.2009, p.7).

[1] See also Commission's Communication on Perspectives for simplifying and improving the regulatory environment of the Common Fisheries policy (COM(2004)820) and Commission Staff Working document on An analysis of the possibilities of simplification and improvement of the regulatory environment of the CFP and of its implementation (SEC(2004)1596).

[2] http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/simplification/action_plan_en.htm.

[3] EC, Better regulation – simply explained, 2006.

[4] Notes have been transmitted by Czech and Slovak Republics.

[5] COM(2003)71 and COM(2006)689.

[6] Commission Regulation (EC) No 148/2009 repealing 11 obsolete Regulations in the field of the Common Fisheries Policy, Commission Decision 2009/309/EC repealing 13 obsolete Decisions in the field of the Common Fisheries Policy, COM(2009) 88 and 89. Where a legal basis no longer exists, acts have been removed through a declaration of formal recognition of obsolescence (2009/C 43/02).

[7] Commission Regulation (EC) No 696/2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 as regards the extension to non-members of certain rules adopted by producer organisations in the fisheries sector; Commission Regulation (EC) No 248/2009 laying detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 104/2000 as regards notifications concerning recognition of producer organisations, the fixing of prices and intervention within the scope of the common organisation of the market in fishery and aquaculture products.

[8] In the 2009 codification programme is included Commission Regulation (EC) 1438/2003 laying down implementing rules on the Community fleet policy as defined in chapter III of Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002.

[9] SEC(2007)1278, p.8.2.

[10] (COM(2006)499), COM(2007)295 and COM(2008 )331.

[11] COM(2008) 324.

[12] Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008 concerning the establishment of a Community framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the Common Fisheries policy.

[13] Commission Regulation (EC) No 665/2008 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 199/2008.

[14] COM(2008)721. This initiative is quoted in the Third progress report on the strategy for simplifying the regulatory environment (COM(2009)17, p.8).

[15] Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999.

[16] Council Regulation (EC) No 1966/2006 on electronic recording and reporting of fishing activities and on the means of remote sensing.

[17] Council Regulation No (EC) 1006/2008 concerning authorisations for fishing activities of Community fishing vessels outside Community waters and the access of third country vessels to Community waters, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/90 and (EC) No 1627/94 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 3317/94.

[18] Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 on the European Fisheries Fund.

[19] Commission Regulation (EC) No 498/2007 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1198/2006 on the European Fisheries Fund. With a view to helping Member States in elaborating programmes and evaluations, the Commission has adopted a Vade mecum (C(2007) 3812) and two notes (C(2007)2575 and 2578).

[20] Art.4 Council Regulation (EC) No 744/2008 instituting a temporary specific action aiming to promote the restructuring of the European Community fishing fleet affected by the economic crisis.

[21] Commission Regulation (EC) No 875/2007 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the EC Treaty to de minimis aid in the fisheries sector and amending Regulation (EC) No 1860/2004.

[22] Commission Regulation (EC) No 736/2008 on the application of Articles 87 and 88 of the Treaty to small and medium-sized enterprises active in production, processing and marketing of fisheries products.

[23] Substantial financial contribution from the Community helped Member States to install devices, develop and upgrade their technical structures (the current framework is set out in Council Regulation No 861/2006 establishing Community financial measures for the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy and in the area of the Law of the Sea).

[24] COM(2007)575, p.3.2.3.

[25] These are also known as Information Obligations (IO).

[26] Member States have also fixed their own targets of reduction of administrative burdens (COM(2009)17, annexe 10).

[27] Council Regulation (EEC) No 2847/1993 establishing a control system applicable to the Common Fisheries Policy.

[28] SEC(2005) 791, updated in 2006.

[29] 22 Member States are concerned by this measurement.

[30] COM(2007)23.

[31] Commission Regulation (EC) No 1243/2007, Commission Regulation (EC) No 1243/2007 of 24 October 2007 amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.

[32] Green Paper - Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (COM(2009)163)

[33] http://ec.europa.eu/governance/impact/practice_en.htm.

[34] Commission Decision 1999/478/EC renewing the Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture.

[35] Council Decision 2004/585/EC establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy.

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