WRITTEN QUESTION E-0015/01

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 January 2001)

Subject: Mussel farming in the EU

Mussel farming is of vital importance in the coastal region of Galicia, where there are some 11 500 jobs directly linked to the sector, of which 8 500 are permanent, as well as 7 000 jobs indirectly related to it. This is particularly important, bearing in mind that the resources generated by mussel production are spread across a broad social base and that decisions are taken locally, with the result that funds are reinvested in the region. This has a multiplier effect on the local economy, helping to produce socio-economic stability.

As far as aquaculture in general is concerned it is mussel farming which is the backbone of the sector, since between 250 and 300 million kilos of mussels are cultivated annually in Galicia, making it the world's second largest producer after China and the leading European producer, accounting for 50 % of total EU production, with 35 % being sold fresh, 41 % earmarked for traditional processing and 24 % for new alternative processing methods, which are increasingly popular.

The vast development potential of aquaculture in general, and mussel farming in particular, has been recognised and often seen as a solution to the labour surplus caused by the recession in other sectors, as well as a way of meeting demand for seafood products. With this in view, emphasis should be placed on the beneficial effects of the EU structural measures in this sector during the period from 1994 to 1999, which helped to improve the productivity and profitability of growers, while substantially reducing risks, accidents and occupational diseases, and improving the quality of life of growers.

Will the Commission provide details of the total amount of aid received by the mussel-farming sector from the EU during the period 1994 to 1999, broken down by Member State? Will it give details of the total amount of aid received by this sector in Spain during the same period, broken down by region? Will the same or an increased level of structural aid be accorded to the mussel-farming sector during the period from 2000 to 2006 and what specific form will such aid take?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 February 2001)

The Commission cannot provide details of the total amount of aid granted to the mussel farming sector in 1994-1999 broken down by Member State, as some Member States have not provided sufficiently detailed technical information regarding the projects funded.

This information is, however, available for Spain.

For the 1994-1999 period, the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) did not help finance any projects which involved increasing mussel production capacity in Spain. However, it did contribute significantly to modernising the existing aquaculture units without increasing production capacity. The FIFG financed 820 projects in Spain with a total investment of approximately 41 million. Community aid amounted to 20 million.

Almost all the mussel projects part-financed by the FIFG are in Galicia. Scarcely a dozen projects were financed in Catalonia and Valencia and Community aid for these totalled approximately 1 million.

For the 2000-2006 programming period, structural investments part-financed by the FIFG will be designed primarily to continue the modernisation of existing mussel-producing installations and diversify production through the installation of new offshore units which will help to reduce the environmental impact in the rías gallegas, where bateas are traditionally installed.

The Commission is not in a position to comment on the amount of aid to be granted to the mussels sector in Spain because financial planning is not broken down by species. Nevertheless, according to the information available, aid for the mussel sector in the 2000-2006 programming period will remain at the same level as in the previous programming period.