WRITTEN QUESTION E-1744/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 June 2002)

Subject: The intended full application of the FIFG in order to reduce substantially the European Union's fishing fleet

How does the Commission intend to solve the extremely serious legal and social problems caused by the intended use of FIFG structural funding to cut part of the European fleet, as envisaged in the reform of the common fisheries policy advocated by the Commission, when in actual fact, according to Agenda 2000, in the period 2000-2006 these funds are earmarked for the modernisation of the fleet?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(5 July 2002)

The argument that structural funds allocations cannot be changed during the financing period (2000-2006) is incorrect in view of Article 14, paragraph 2 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds(1). This article specifies that reprogramming can take place either at the initiative of a Member State or of the Commission in agreement with this Member State, at the mid-term review or in the event of significant changes in the socio-economic situation and the labour market.

Furthermore, Article 3, paragraph 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector(2) provides that for the remainder of the programming period not yet covered by a multi-annual guidance programme (MAGP) approved by the Commission, the programming information shall be purely indicative. Thus after the end of MAGP IV at the end of year 2002, any money earmarked by one Member State for fleet renewal and modernisation under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG), will be available for reprogramming to other areas by this same Member State.

The Commission is fully aware that bringing fishing effort down to a sustainable level, that is one which would not threaten fish stocks over the long term, implies social costs in the short term. To alleviate these costs, and to help fishermen who wish to re-train or to invest in new activities outside of the sector, the Commission proposes that EUR 460 million be re-allocated to social measures from support to vessels construction or modernisation, instead of the EUR 103 million currently programmed by Member States under the FIFG for 2000 to 2006.

Social measures are necessary to help the fishing sector bridge the gap between the consequences of the necessary reductions in fishing effort on threatened stocks, whether through limitations of fishing days or through temporary closures of fishing zones, and the longer term gains in productivity and profitability of the vessels remaining in the fleet. This in turn will mean better job security for fishermen wishing to remain in the fishing sector, instead of the steady annual fall of close to 8 000 fisherman that we have seen for the past ten years.

Ignoring now the hard fact that fish stocks in Community waters cannot sustain the size of the fishing fleets we have today, would bring much more severe job losses from stock and fisheries collapses later.

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(2) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.