WRITTEN QUESTION E-2422/02

by Brigitte Langenhagen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(20 August 2002)

Subject: Surplus prawn-fishing capacity in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has disregarded the targets of its MAGP IV regarding prawn boats and, in recent years, has created a considerable amount of surplus capacity by building new vessels. According to the Netherlands fishing industry's newspaper, the target for 1993 was 2 812 GT/10 318 kW. However, the capacity of the Netherlands prawn-fishing fleet in 2001 stood at 4 423 GT/16 931 kW.

Moreover, funds have been used to build new vessels which were granted for scrapping vessels, such as large flatfish boats, in other parts of the industry.

By acting in this manner, the Netherlands' prawn-fishing fleet has gained a considerable competitive edge. Even if the surplus capacity is cut back at the present time, there is a risk that only the older and less profitable units will be decommissioned. The Netherlands would have a rejuvenated fleet at its disposal while other Member States would continue to use boats over 30 years old only.

1. How does the Commission intend to force the Netherlands to reduce its surplus prawn-fishing capacity?

2. How does the Commission intend to prevent the competitive advantages gained over the other Member States' older vessels through the illegal building of new vessels being subsequently legalised through the new structural policy?

3. Can the Commission rule out the possibility that funds granted for reducing the Netherlands' flatfish fleet have been used to build new prawn boats? How does the Commission intend to punish such conduct?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 2002)

Since 1 January 1997 when a separate fleet segment for prawn boats was created in the MAGP IV for the Netherlands, this segment has expanded predominantly by transfer of existing vessels from the 221 kW Eurocutter segment.

The Dutch authorities have systematically transferred Eurocutter vessels abandoning fishing for species under quota to the prawn fleet segment. Hence the apparent expansion of the prawn fleet segment, to which only four newly built vessels (total capacity roughly 200 GT) have been added since 1987.

The combined capacity of the two segments has been stable over the period 1997-02 owing precisely to the granting of scrapping premiums for cutter segment vessels offered for withdrawal.

In response to the Honourable Member's specific questions:

1. The Commission considers that reduction of surplus prawn-fishing capacity can be ensured by the Netherlands' recent adoption of an entry exit ratio of 1:1,35 and of an exit plan recently notified to the Commission and under examination.

2. The Netherlands has granted no construction or fleet modernisation aid during MAGP IV. The Prawner 2000 project was abandoned because failure to comply with the segment objective meant that public aid could not be given. Under the new policy new construction has no bearing on establishment of the reference levels, which depend only on the objectives previously set for the MAGP IVs.

3. The Commission can rule out, except as an infringement of the Community rules, the likelihood of direct use of scrapping aid for vessel construction, since all aid for withdrawal involves withdrawal of the fishing licence so that the corresponding capacity cannot be used.