WRITTEN QUESTION E-3571/00

by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(17 November 2000)

Subject: Assistance for fishermen during the biological closed season

Article 16 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999(1), which lays down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector under the FIFG for the period 2000-2006, makes provision both for direct economic assistance for fishermen who cease activity during the biological closed season and for assistance for vessel owners.

The governmental agreement of the Generalitat (administration) of Catalonia of 31 August 2000, which contains the draft programme of structural assistance for the fisheries sector in Catalonia under the FIFG for the period 2000-2006, merely deals with assistance for vessel owners. However, those most affected by this measure are the sector's fishermen and workers. The fact that their fixed contracts can be terminated means that the unemployment benefits they receive during the biological closed season fall, in the third year, to 60 % of the limit for social security contributions. Furthermore, should the period during which they cease activity amount to less than 4 months, they lose their eligibility for unemployment benefit in subsequent closed seasons and, should those fishermen who have not become eligible for unemployment benefit and have received an allowance during that period fall ill, they do not qualify for a temporary invalidity allowance.

The Council Regulation enables fishermen or seamen to receive the direct economic assistance which they need and which amounts to a guaranteed wage equivalent to the set limit for contributions.

What view does the Commission take of the fact that the governmental agreement of the Generalitat of Catalonia of 31 August 2000 only considers vessel owners as beneficiaries of assistance, whilst neglecting the needs of the fishermen affected by the biological closed season?

Does it have any means of making it compulsory to set aside a portion of the assistance provided for in Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 for the allocation of direct economic assistance to those fishermen affected by the biological closed season under structural assistance programmes in Objective 2 areas? If not, does the Commission recommend establishing a corrective measure of any kind in order to remedy this shortcoming?

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999, p. 10.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(11 December 2000)

On 7 August 2000 the Spanish authorities notified the Commission of Catalonia's state aid scheme for structural assistance in the fisheries sector part-financed by the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG).

This draft, which is currently being examined by the Commission, does not include a provision whereby crews of fishing vessels that have temporarily ceased activity for biological reasons can receive the compensation provided for in Article 16 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.

The Commission is aware of the social problem raised by the Honourable Member. However, in this case it is for the Member States to decide whether they wish to avail themselves of the possibilities offered by Community legislation.