[pic] | COMISIÓN DE LAS COMUNIDADES EUROPEAS |

Bruselas, 20.7.2005

COM(2005)328 final

2005/0136(CNS)

Propuesta de

DECISIÓN DEL CONSEJO

que modifica la Decisión 2004/465/CE relativa a la participación financiera de la Comunidad en los programas de control de la actividad pesquera realizados por los Estados miembros

.

(presentada por la Comisión)

EXPOSICIÓN DE MOTIVOS

Desde 1991, la Comunidad ha proporcionado ayuda financiera a los Estados miembros para llevar a cabo el control de la actividad pesquera. Esta política se basa en el hecho de que las actividades de control tienen un elevado coste, especialmente en lo que se refiere a la realización de inspecciones en el mar por medio de buques y aviones de patrulla, y a las inversiones en tecnología y redes de tecnología de la información (TI).

En función de este objetivo, se han adoptado cuatro Decisiones del Consejo en virtud de las cuales la Comunidad participa en la financiación de los gastos que realizan los Estados miembros en el ámbito de la inspección de la actividad pesquera: Decisión 89/631/CEE para el periodo 1991 a 1995, Decisión 95/527/CEE para el periodo 1996 a 2000, Decisión 2001/431/CE para el periodo 2001 a 2003 y Decisión 2004/465/CE para el periodo 2004 y 2005. El análisis de los resultados de esta actuación pone claramente de manifiesto que la ayuda financiera concedida a los Estados miembros por la Comunidad ha tenido una repercusión muy positiva en sus sistemas de inspección.

La Decisión 2004/465/CE expira el 31.12.2005 y el nuevo marco financiero para el sector pesquero (que abarca el periodo 2007 – 2013) no entrará en vigor hasta 2007. Por lo tanto, es preciso prorrogar un año la participación financiera actual, que se adoptó en virtud de la Decisión 2004/465/CE, con objeto de mantener, hasta que entre en vigor el nuevo marco financiero citado, la participación comunitaria en los gastos que tienen previsto realizar los Estados miembros en el ámbito del control del actividad pesquera, y, asimismo, fomentar las inversiones de los Estados miembros en dicho ámbito, habida cuenta, además, de las necesidades de la Agencia Comunitaria de Control de la Pesca.

La Decisión propuesta supone, esencialmente, la renovación por un año de la Decisión 2004/465/CE. Las prioridades y las medidas que pueden beneficiarse de la ayuda financiera comunitaria no experimentan cambios, si bien se han modificado en consecuencia los períodos establecidos para que los Estados miembros informen acerca del progreso realizado. No obstante, se han añadido dos nuevas medidas que pueden optar a la ayuda financiera comunitaria, habida cuenta de la necesidad de incrementar todavía más el nivel de asistencia técnica a los servicios de la Comisión.

Se prestará especial atención a las necesidades de los Estados miembros que se incorporaron a la UE en 2004.

El importe previsto para 2006 es de 35 millones de euros.

La Comisión solicita al Consejo que adopte la propuesta adjunta.

2005/0136(CNS)

Propuesta de

DECISIÓN DEL CONSEJO

que modifica la Decisión 2004/465/CE relativa a la participación financiera de la Comunidad en los programas de control de la actividad pesquera realizados por los Estados miembros

EL CONSEJO DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA,

Visto el Tratado constitutivo de la Comunidad Europea, y, en particular, su artículo 37,

Vista la propuesta de la Comisión[1],

Visto el dictamen del Parlamento Europeo[2],

Considerando lo siguiente:

(1) La política pesquera común (PPC) establece las normas generales en materia de conservación, gestión y explotación responsable, transformación y comercialización de los recursos acuáticos vivos.

(2) El Reglamento (CE) nº 2371/2002, de 20 de diciembre de 2002, sobre la conservación y la explotación sostenible de los recursos pesqueros en virtud de la política pesquera común[3], destaca la necesidad de estrechar la cooperación y coordinación entre los Estados miembros y con la Comisión a fin de intensificar el control y desalentar los modos de actuación contrarios a las normas de la PPC.

(3) El período durante el que es aplicable la Decisión 2004/465/CE del Consejo, relativa a la participación financiera de la Comunidad en los programas de control de la actividad pesquera realizados por los Estados miembros[4], expirará el 31 de diciembre de 2005.

(4) Debido a dificultades presupuestarias y administrativas internas, los Estados miembros que se incorporaron a la Comunidad el 1 de mayo de 2004 obtuvieron una asistencia financiera comunitaria muy limitada en virtud de las disposiciones financieras actuales, establecidas en la Decisión 2004/465/CE.

(5) Las nuevas perspectivas financieras abarcarán el período de 2007-2013. Por lo tanto, para evitar que se interrumpa la ayuda financiera comunitaria, es preciso que la ayuda financiera a disposición de los Estados miembros en virtud de la Decisión 2004/465/CE se mantenga durante 2006.

(6) Es conveniente incluir en la Decisión 2004/465/CE estudios sobre control de la actividad pesquera, así como acuerdos destinados a facilitar la aplicación de las nuevas tecnologías de control.

HA ADOPTADO LA PRESENTE DECISIÓN:

Artículo 1

La Decisión 2004/465/CE quedará modificada como sigue:

1) En el artículo 3, el texto del apartado 2 se sustituirá por el siguiente:

«2. Todos los Estados miembros deberán presentar sus respectivos programas anuales de control de la actividad pesquera a más tardar el 1 de junio de 2004 para 2004, y el 31 de enero para 2005 y para 2006».

2) En el artículo 4, apartado 1, se añadirán las siguientes letras:

«i) acuerdos administrativos con el Centro Común de Investigación destinados a aplicar nuevas tecnologías en materia de control;

j) estudios sobre aspectos de control realizados a iniciativa de la Comisión».

3) En el artículo 5, apartado 1, la primera frase se sustituirá por la siguiente: «El importe de referencia financiera para la ejecución de las medidas destinatarias de ayuda financiera en el período 2004 a 2006 ascenderá a 105 millones de euros».

4) En el artículo 6, apartado 2, se añadirá la letra siguiente:

«d) en el caso de las medidas mencionadas en las letras i) y j) del apartado 1 del artículo 4, el porcentaje podrá ser el 100 % del importe del gasto subvencionable».

5) En el artículo 12, apartado 2, la fecha de «31 de diciembre de 2008» se sustituirá por la de «31 de diciembre de 2010».

6) En el artículo 16, letra b), la fecha de «31 de diciembre de 2006» se sustituirá por la de «31 de diciembre de 2007».

7) En el artículo 16, letra b), el texto del inciso v) se sustituirá por el siguiente:

«v) repercusión de la participación financiera en los programas de control de la actividad pesquera a lo largo de todo el período de 2001 a 2006».

8) En el artículo 17, la fecha de «30 de junio de 2007» se sustituirá por la de «30 de junio de 2008».

Artículo 2

La presente Decisión se aplicará a partir del 1 de enero de 2006.

Artículo 3

Los destinatarios de la presente Decisión serán los Estados miembros.

Hecho en Bruselas,

Por el Consejo

El Presidente

LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. NAME OF THE PROPOSAL:

Community financial contribution towards Member States fisheries control programmes

2. ABM / ABB FRAMEWORK

Policy Area(s) concerned and associated Activity/Activities:Line 1107: Fisheries conservation, control.

3. BUDGET LINES

3.1. Budget lines (operational lines and related technical and administrative assistance lines (ex- B.A lines)) including headings:

11.07.02. Financial contribution to the Member States for expenditure in the field of control

3.2. Duration of the action and of the financial impact:

2006

3.3. Budgetary characteristics ( add rows if necessary ):

Budget line | Type of expenditure | New | EFTA contribution | Contributions from applicant countries | Heading in financial perspective |

110702 | Non-comp | Diff[5]/ | NO | NO | NO | No 3 |

4. SUMMARY OF RESOURCES

4.1. Financial Resources

4.1.1. Summary of commitment appropriations (CA) and payment appropriations (PA)

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Expenditure type | Section no. | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | n + 4 | n + 5 and later | Total |

Operational expenditure[6] |

Commitment Appropriations (CA) | 8.1 | a | 35,000 | 35,000 |

Payment Appropriations (PA) | b | 3,000 | 7,000 | 14,000 | 11,000 | 35,000 |

Administrative expenditure within reference amount[7] |

Technical & administrative assistance (NDA) | 8.2.4 | c |

TOTAL REFERENCE AMOUNT |

Commitment Appropriations | a+c | 35,000 | 35,000 |

Payment Appropriations | b+c | 3,000 | 7,000 | 14,000 | 11,000 | 35,000 |

Administrative expenditure not included in reference amount[8] |

Human resources and associated expenditure (NDA) | 8.2.5 | d | 0,378 | 0,378 | 0,378 | 0,378 |

Administrative costs, other than human resources and associated costs, not included in reference amount (NDA) | 8.2.6 | e | 0,055 | 0,12 | 0,020 | 0,020 |

Total indicative financial cost of intervention

TOTAL CA including cost of Human Resources | a+c+d+e | 35,433 | 0,498 | 0,398 | 0,398 | 36,727 |

TOTAL PA including cost of Human Resources | b+c+d+e | 3,433 | 7,498 | 14,398 | 11,398 | 36,727 |

Co-financing details

If the proposal involves co-financing by Member States, or other bodies (please specify which), an estimate of the level of this co-financing should be indicated in the table below (additional lines may be added if different bodies are foreseen for the provision of the co-financing):

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Co-financing body | Year n | n + 1 | n + 2 | n + 3 | n + 4 | n + 5 and later | Total |

…………………… | f |

TOTAL CA including co-financing | a+c+d+e+f |

4.1.2. Compatibility with Financial Programming

(x Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming.

( Proposal will entail reprogramming of the relevant heading in the financial perspective.

( Proposal may require application of the provisions of the Inter-institutional Agreement[9] (i.e. flexibility instrument or revision of the financial perspective).

4.1.3. Financial impact on Revenue

(x Proposal has no financial implications on revenue

( Proposal has financial impact – the effect on revenue is as follows:

NB: All details and observations relating to the method of calculating the effect on revenue should be shown in a separate annex.

EUR million (to one decimal place)

Prior to action [Year n-1] | Situation following action |

Total number of human resources | 3 + ½ | 3+ 1/2 | 3 + 1/2 | 3 + ½ |

5. CHARACTERISTICS AND OBJECTIVES

Details of the context of the proposal are required in the Explanatory Memorandum. This section of the Legislative Financial Statement should include the following specific complementary information:

5.1. Needs to be met in the short or long term

The objective of the Common Fisheries policy is to provide for sustainable exploitation of living aquatic resources and of aquaculture in the context of sustainable development. In order to ensure the effective implementation of the CFP (control, inspection and enforcement of the rules of the CFP falls within the responsibility of Member States), the Community control and enforcement system for fisheries should be reinforced and co-operation and co-ordination between all relevant authorities should be strengthened.

This goal is being achieved through a number of actions performed by Member States which have been financed by the Community since 1990, and consequently in line with the objectives established under Council Regulation n° 2371/2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the CFP[11]. The financial assistance granted to Member States by the Community has been done on the basis of national programmes on expenditure for fisheries control purposes.

5.2. Value-added of Community involvement and coherence of the proposal with other financial instruments and possible synergy

Regulation n°2371/2002[12] establishes the obligations of Member States on fisheries control activities. However, without constant pressure and monitoring by the Commission, Member States will not fulfil their duties in accordance with the standards required by Community law. Furthermore, improvements towards an efficient control system throughout the Community will be difficult to achieve without incentives, in particular when new technologies shall be tested and introduced where appropriate.

5.3. Objectives, expected results and related indicators of the proposal in the context of the ABM framework

Objectives: The situation as regards control means of Member States seems to be very much the same as in the beginning of 2004. Under-capacities in fishing control are especially significant for new Member States. It is thus necessary that Community financial assistance continues to be available to Member States in 2006 in the form and conditions established under Decision 2004/465[13].

Results: Financing rates and conditions established under Decision 2004/465/EC remain unchanged, and are made applicable under the proposed Decision for one further year until 31.12.2006.

In particular, reimbursement on aircraft and vessel expenditure will continue to be applied under the proposed Decision with priority to the new Member States.

Indicators: The Commission will continue to focus on the assessment tools that can be considered the best indicators to assess the effectiveness of the policy (i.e. number of infringements detected over a period, the rate of procedures ended compared with the procedures opened, the number of inspections at sea or at ports, or the number of sightings recorded by the aerial surveillance). The information provided by IT systems able to collect data from landing points, thus controlling the level of catch uptake (in regard to available quotas and the status of stocks), are also important assessment elements.

5.4. Method of Implementation (indicative)

Show below the method(s)[14] chosen for the implementation of the action.

( x Centralised Management

(x Directly by the Commission

( Indirectly by delegation to:

( Executive Agencies

( Bodies set up by the Communities as referred to in art. 185 of the Financial Regulation

( National public-sector bodies/bodies with public-service mission

( Shared or decentralised management

( With Member states

( With Third countries

( Joint management with international organisations (please specify)

Relevant comments:

6. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

6.1. Monitoring system

The proposed Decision carries over for 2006 the principles and rules established in Decision 2004/465/EC on this issue. Expenditure must have been incurred in compliance both with the general condition specified in Decision 2004/465/EC and the specific conditions provided for by the future Commission decision fixing the amount granted.

On its side, the Commission may require Member States to carry out on-the-spot checks on projects or may decide to carry them out with its own officials.

The Commission maintains as well all existing checks and balances in regard to fraud: in particular, in the event any amount has been unduly paid, it shall be repaid to the Commission, with interest. It is worth noting that the Commission only reimburses invoices that the national administrations have paid.

Member States shall report yearly to the Commission how their programmes are implemented, any variation they had to introduce on their programmes and shall assess the impact of the expenditure on control, inspection and surveillance activities. The proposed Decision provides for a final assessment on the 2001-2006 programmes to be forwarded to the Commission in 2007.

The proposed Decision foresees that the report by the Commission on the outcome of the scheme will be sent to the European Parliament and the Council in 2008. In this report indicators mentioned above will be used to gauge the impact of this scheme.

6.2. Evaluation

6.2.1. Ex-ante evaluation

Through the financial scheme provided for by Decisions 89/631[15], 95/527[16], 2001/431[17] and 2004/465[18], Member States have with no doubt reinforced their control structures and their inspectors’ skills. This has been largely assessed in several documents, such as Commission’s Reports on the monitoring of the implementation of the CFP Rules by the Member States. Extensive details on the effects of such actions have also been given in the Legislative Financial Statement of Council Decision 2004/465/EC, in the Report of the Commission to the Council and European Parliament on Decision 89/631[19], the Report of May 2000 on Decision 95/527[20] and the Commission Communication on the compliance with the rules of the CFP of June 2003, which set up a Compliance scoreboard and was made available to the general public through the Commission's web-site[21].

If an overall conclusion is to be drawn from these documents, is that without further investments in equipment and training, the control systems of Member States will not be able to correspond to the standards required by Community law.

In addition, attention must be drawn to the fact that ten new Member States joined the Community on 1st May 2004, and that during 2004 some of these Member States faced internal budgetary problems which have made them have to delay certain expenditure on fisheries control for one or two years. Hence, in order to facilitate and speed up the attainment of Community standards in the fisheries control field, financial aid will continue to be necessary in the interim period between the expiry of Decision 2004/465 (i.e. 31.12.2005) and the date when the future Fisheries Control Agency becomes fully operational.

6.2.2. Measures taken following an intermediate/ex-post evaluation (lessons learned from similar experiences in the past)

Though assessment is very much dependant on specific monitoring, control and surveillance strategies adopted by each Member States (which are in turn a consequence of the different features of the fleet, the size of fishing grounds, quantity and value of catches landed), it appears that there is still room for improvement on the main issues of control i.e. patrol vessels and aircraft and technology systems and their network, the fitting on board of Vessel Monitoring Systems on board vessels, and training, the enhancement of pilot projects and cost/benefit analysis of expenditure in the control activity (in the case of all Member States).

Moreover, it is proposed to finance two new actions: the first will be aimed at setting up administrative arrangements with the Community Joint Research Centre (JRC), so that this body may provide technical assistance in the development of control techniques. The second will allow the Commission’s services to carry out studies on matters related to control issues.

6.2.3. Terms and frequency of future evaluation

The proposed Council Decision only affects the reports foreseen in Decision 2004/465/EC (articles 16 and 17) in their timing. All other elements of reporting already foreseen remain unchanged.

The final report to be drawn up by the Member States before 31.12.2007 will allow a thorough ex post evaluation of the scheme which will be presented the following year by the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council.

In the matter of control, it is not easy to quantify the results, especially in the short term. The overall goal of this initiative is to enhance a control culture among the stakeholders in the fisheries sector which will allow an unreserved compliance with the CFP rules. Without effective control, conservation rules are useless; without adherence to rules, control activities will never be successful.

7. ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES

The Member States shall verify and certify that expenditure for which a reimbursement is claimed has been incurred in compliance with the rules laid down by the Decision. If the Commission considers that the claim does not comply with the conditions laid down, it shall refuse to reimburse all or part of the expenditure at issue.

The Members States shall provide the Commission with any information it may request and they must keep supporting documents available to the Commission for at least 5 years from the date of reimbursement.

Commission officials may carry out or take part on ex-post control.

In the event of irregularity, any amount unduly paid shall be repaid to the Commission, together with interest.

8. DETAILS OF RESOURCES

8.1. Objectives of the proposal in terms of their financial cost

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

8.2.2. Description of tasks deriving from the action

- - In view of the principle of sound financial management, assure the respect of the Financial Regulation rules when implementing the concerned Community legislation.

- - Assure a good execution of available credits, in conformity with applicable rules and procedures.

8.2.3. Sources of human resources (statutory)

(When more than one source is stated, please indicate the number of posts originating from each of the sources)

(x Posts currently allocated to the management of the programme to be replaced or extended

( Posts pre-allocated within the APS/PDB exercise for year n

( Posts to be requested in the next APS/PDB procedure

( Posts to be redeployed using existing resources within the managing service (internal redeployment)

( Posts required for year n although not foreseen in the APS/PDB exercise of the year in question

8.2.4. Other Administrative expenditure included in reference amount (XX 01 04/05 – Expenditure on administrative management)

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Budget line (number and heading) | Year n | Year n+1 | Year n+2 | Year n+3 | Year n+4 | Year n+5 and later | TOTAL |

Other technical and administrative assistance |

- intra muros |

- extra muros |

Total Technical and administrative assistance |

8.2.5. Financial cost of human resources and associated costs not included in the reference amount

EUR million (to 3 decimal places)

Type of human resources | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Year n+4 | Year n+5 and later |

Officials and temporary staff (XX 01 01) | 0, 378 | 0, 378 | 0, 378 | 0, 378 |

Staff financed by Art XX 01 02 (auxiliary, END, contract staff, etc.) (specify budget line) |

Total cost of Human Resources and associated costs (NOT in reference amount) | 0, 378 | 0, 378 | 0,378 | 0, 378 |

Calculation– Officials and Temporary agents

Reference should be made to Point 8.2.1, if applicable

3 x €108 000 = € 324 000

½ x €108 000 = €54 000

Calculation– Staff financed under art. XX 01 02

Reference should be made to Point 8.2.1, if applicable

8.2.6 Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount EUR million (to 3 decimal places) |

XX 01 02 11 02 – Meetings & Conferences |

XX 01 02 11 03 – Committees[27] | 0,035 | 0,035 |

XX 01 02 11 04 – Studies & consultations | 0,10 | 0,10 |

XX 01 02 11 05 – Information systems |

2 Total Other Management Expenditure (XX 01 02 11) |

3 Other expenditure of an administrative nature (specify including reference to budget line) |

Total Administrative expenditure, other than human resources and associated costs (NOT included in reference amount) | 0,055 | 0,12 | 0,020 | 0,020 | 0,215 |

Calculation - Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount

[1] DO C […] de […], p. […].

[2] DO C […] de […], p. […].

[3] DO L 358 de 31.12.2002, p. 59.

[4] DO L 157 de 30.4.2004, p. 114, rectificada por DO L 195 de 2.6.2004, p. 36.

[5] Differentiated appropriations

[6] Expenditure that does not fall under Chapter xx 01 of the Title xx concerned.

[7] Expenditure within article xx 01 04 of Title xx.

[8] Expenditure within chapter xx 01 other than articles xx 01 04 or xx 01 05.

[9] See points 19 and 24 of the Interinstitutional agreement.

[10] Additional columns should be added if necessary i.e. if the duration of the action exceeds 6 years

[11] JO L 358, 31.12.2002.

[12] See Art.23 (2) of R.n°2371/2002.

[13] A detailed exposé on this issue is to be found in point 5 (“Description and Grounds” of the Legislative Financial Statement of Decision 2004/465/EC.

[14] If more than one method is indicated please provide additional details in the "Relevant comments" section of this point

[15] JO L 364, 14.12.1989.

[16] JO L 301, 14.12.1995.

[17] JO L 154, 9.6.2001.

[18] JO L 157, 30.4.2004, as amended by JO L 195, 2.6.2004.

[19] COM(1995) 268.

[20] See Legislative Financial Statement to Decision 2004/465/EC, point 5.

[21] COM(2003) 344.

[22] As described under Section 5.3

[23] Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount

[24] Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount

[25] Cost of which is included within the reference amount

[26] Reference should be made to the specific legislative financial statement for the Executive Agency(ies) concerned.

[27] Specify the type of committee and the group to which it belongs.