WRITTEN QUESTION P-3341/02

by Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(19 November 2002)

Subject: Delay in compensation payments to Andalusian fishermen

In the wake of the non-renewal of the EU-Morocco fisheries agreement in 1999, the EU decided, in Council Regulation (EC) No 2561/2001 of 17 December 2001(1) aiming to promote the conversion of fishing vessels and of fishermen that were, up to 1999, dependent on the fishing agreement with Morocco, to grant aids to the fishermen affected.

By now, hundreds of fishermen and vessel owners have destroyed their craft or have received authorisation to do so yet they have still not received the agreed EUR 12 000. These people's sole source of household income has been unemployment benefit, which only runs for six months and which most of them will therefore cease to receive in December 2002. In view of the problems attaching to conversion in the fisheries sector and the high levels of unemployment in Andalusia, there is now a climate of uncertainty and deep concern in the coastal areas affected.

Is the Commission aware of the delay in paying these aids to fishermen in Andalusia? Can it provide information on the procedure applying to these aids, and name the authority competent to pay them in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia?

As the institution responsible for implementing the Community budget, what controls can the Commission operate to examine the actions of the competent national or regional authorities? Should such controls be carried out and should they demonstrate the irregular nature of the situation, what penalties will the Commission impose?

(1) OJ L 344, 28.12.2001, p. 17.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(6 December 2002)

Council Regulation (EC) No 2561/2001 of 17 December 2001 aiming to promote the conversion of fishing vessels and of fishermen that were dependent on the fishing agreement with Morocco refers to Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector(1).

Under Regulation (EC) No 2561/2001 it is up to the authorities designated by the Member States to take action (consonant with Regulations (EC) No 1263/1999(2) and (EC) No 2792/1999(3) to select projects and grant Community aid for them.

At the beginning of the year the Commission paid out an advance of some EUR 37 000 000 and agreed with the Spanish authorities on regular review of implementation of the measure.

Under Article 87 of the EC Treaty the Spanish authorities referred to the Commission for its approval their provisions on national co-financing to accompany the Community aid. These were approved in July and they then began to adopt decisions on submission and approval of projects co-financed under the specific Morocco scheme introduced by Regulation (EC) No 2561/2001.

The Commission will take stock of the situation with the Spanish authorities at the next meeting of the monitoring committee on 11 December. A visit by Commission officials to the areas concerned will follow.

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 1263/1999 of 21 June 1999 on the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.

(3) Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.