EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/272

(2004/C 88 E/0277)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1023/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(5 April 2004)

Subject: Modernisation of the Portuguese fishing fleet

The Commission knows that there are major projects for modernising the fishing fleet registered in the Portuguese ports of Peniche, Nazaré, Sesimbra and Setúbal, where coastal and small-scale fishing is of major importance to the local population and to regional development. The Commission is also aware of the project to build a new canning factory in Setúbal. For this reason, it is unacceptable to suspend the submission of fresh applications under the MARE Programme (Programme for the sustainable development of the fishery sector, CSF III) for 2000/2006, which is what the Portuguese Government has just done with its Decree No 252/2004 of 8 March, for the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Region, arguing a lack of available funding.

Can the Commission answer the following:

1. What measures can be taken to increase the funding of the MARE Programme, with a view to supporting the existing projects in the fishing ports of the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Region?

2. What measures does the Commission intend to take in collaboration the Portuguese Government, to support the modernisation of the fishing fleet and the building of new canning factories in the area, given the rising unemployment and the fact that some 50 % of the vessels belonging to these fishing ports are already elderly?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2004)

The Lisbon and Tagus Valley Region is receiving transitional level support under Objective 1 and is therefore subject to the Berlin profile ceiling for the Structural Funds at Community support framework level. This means that any increase in funding for the region under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) must be accompanied by an equivalent reduction in assistance from the other Funds.

FIFG support for the region, which was set at EUR 32 988 million for the period 2000-2006, is channelled exclusively through the MARE Operational Programme. Commitments to date amount to EUR 30,2 million, and the projects submitted up to the date of publication of Portaria No 252/2004 corresponded to three times the level of available appropriations.

Under Article 9(1) 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 (1), public aid for the renewal of fishing vessels will no longer be authorised after 31 December 2004.

To meet the increased need for FIFG appropriations, under the mid-term programming adaptations provided for in Article 14(2) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 of 21 June 1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds (2), FIFG funding is to be increased by allocating part of the performance reserve to this and by minor transfers of appropriations from the European Regional Development Fund. This additional funding may prove inadequate to cope with the volume of projects submitted, but the Berlin profile ceiling for the regions receiving transitional level support prevents any further increase.

(1) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(2) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999.