[pic] | COMMISSION DES COMMUNAUTÉS EUROPÉENNES |

Bruxelles, le 20.7.2005

COM(2005)328 final

2005/0136(CNS)

Proposition de

DÉCISION DU CONSEIL

modifiant la décision 2004/465/CE du Conseil concernant une participation financière de la Communauté aux programmes de contrôle de la pêche des États membres

.

(présentée par la Commission)

EXPOSÉ DES MOTIFS

La Communauté fournit un soutien financier aux États membres au titre des activités de contrôle de la pêche depuis 1991. Ce soutien se justifie par les coûts élevés de cette politique, notamment ceux liés à l’inspection en mer par des navires et des aéronefs de patrouille et ceux afférents aux investissements technologiques et aux investissements dans le domaine des réseaux informatiques.

Dans ce but, quatre décisions du Conseil ont été adoptées en vue d‘assurer un soutien communautaire aux dépenses supportées par les États membres au titre de l’inspection des activités de la pêche: la décision 89/631/CEE couvrant la période 1991-1995, la décision 95/527/CEE couvrant la période 1996-2000, la décision 2001/431/CE couvrant la période 2001-2003 et la décision 2004/465/CE couvrant la période 2004-2005. L’analyse des résultats de ce régime montre clairement que le soutien financier communautaire aux États membres a eu un effet très bénéfique sur leurs systèmes d’inspection.

La décision 2004/465/CE vient à échéance le 31.12.2005. Le nouveau cadre financier relatif à la pêche (couvrant la période 2007-2013) n’entrera pas en vigueur avant 2007. Le régime financier actuel, adopté en vertu de la décision 2004/465/CE, a donc besoin d’être prorogé d’un an afin d’assurer la continuité du soutien communautaire des dépenses programmées par les États membres en matière de contrôle des activités de pêche jusqu’à l’entrée en vigueur du nouveau régime financier et afin d’encourager les investissements des États membres dans le domaine, en tenant compte également des besoins de l’Agence communautaire de contrôle des pêches.

La décision proposée constitue, en substance, une prorogation d’un an de la décision 2004/465/CE. Les priorités et les actions éligibles au soutien financier communautaire demeurent inchangées, tandis que les délais accordés aux États membres pour rendre compte des progrès accomplis ont été modifiés en conséquence. Deux nouvelles actions admises au bénéfice du soutien communautaire ont cependant été ajoutées, vu la nécessité de renforcer le niveau d’assistance technique aux services de la Commission.

Une attention particulière sera accordée aux besoins des États membres qui ont adhéré à l’UE en 2004.

Le montant prévu pour 2006 est de 35 millions EUR.

La Commission propose au Conseil d’adopter la proposition jointe en annexe.

2005/0136 (CNS)

Proposition de

DÉCISION DU CONSEIL

modifiant la décision 2004/465/CE du Conseil concernant une participation financière de la Communauté aux programmes de contrôle de la pêche des États membres

LE CONSEIL DE L'UNION EUROPÉENNE,

vu le traité instituant la Communauté européenne, et notamment son article 37,

vu la proposition de la Commission[1],

vu l'avis du Parlement européen[2],

considérant ce qui suit:

(1) La politique commune de la pêche (PCP) définit les règles générales en matière de conservation, de gestion et d'exploitation responsable, ainsi que de transformation et de commercialisation des ressources aquatiques vivantes.

(2) Le règlement (CE) n° 2371/2002 du Conseil du 20 décembre 2002 relatif à la conservation et à l'exploitation durable des ressources halieutiques dans le cadre de la politique commune de la pêche[3] a souligné la nécessité de renforcer la coopération et la coordination entre les États membres et avec la Commission afin d'intensifier les contrôles et de décourager les comportements contraires aux règles de la PCP.

(3) La période couverte par la décision 2004/465/CE du Conseil concernant une participation financière de la Communauté aux programmes de contrôle de la pêche des États membres[4] vient à échéance le 31 décembre 2005.

(4) En raison de difficultés budgétaires et administratives à l'échelon national, les États membres qui ont adhéré à la Communauté le 1er mai 2004 ont obtenu une assistance financière très limitée de la part de la Communauté dans le cadre du régime financier actuel prévu dans la décision 2004/465/CE.

(5) La nouvelle perspective financière couvrira la période 2007-2013. Pour éviter une interruption du soutien financier communautaire, il est donc nécessaire de poursuivre en 2006 l'assistance financière mise à la disposition des États membres conformément à la décision 2004/465/CE.

(6) Il y a lieu d'inclure dans la décision 2004/465/CE les études relatives au contrôle de la pêche ainsi que les dispositions destinées à faciliter la mise en oeuvre des nouvelles technologies en matière de contrôle,

A ARRÊTÉ LA PRÉSENTE DÉCISION:

Article premier

La décision 2004/465/CE est modifiée comme suit:

1. À l'article 3, le paragraphe 2 est remplacé par le texte suivant:

«2. Tous les États membres soumettent leur programme annuel de contrôle de la pêche pour le 1er juin 2004, en ce qui concerne l’année 2004, et pour le 31 janvier, en ce qui concerne l’année 2005 et 2006».

2. À l'article 4, paragraphe 1, les points suivants sont ajoutés:

«i) dispositions administratives convenues avec le centre commun de recherche visant la mise en oeuvre des nouvelles technologies en matière de contrôle;

j) études sur les domaines liés au contrôle réalisées à l'initiative de la Commission»

3. À l'article 5, paragraphe 1, la première phrase est remplacée par le texte suivant: «Le montant de référence financière pour l’exécution des actions pour lesquelles une assistance financière est prévue pour la période 2004-2006 est de 105 millions EUR».

4. À l'article 6, paragraphe 2, le point suivant est ajouté:

«d) pour les actions visées à l’article 4, paragraphe 1, points i) et j), le taux peut atteindre 100 % des dépenses éligibles».

5. À l'article 12, paragraphe 2, la date du «31 décembre 2008» est remplacée par celle du «31 décembre 2010».

6. À l'article 16, point b), la date du «31 décembre 2006» est remplacée par celle du «31 décembre 2007».

7. À l'article 16, point b), le point v) est remplacé par le texte suivant:

« v) l'impact de la participation financière aux programmes de contrôle de la pêche sur l'ensemble de la période 2001-2006».

8. À l'article 17, la date du «30 juin 2007» est remplacée par celle du ««30 juin 2008».

Article 2

La présente décision s'applique à compter du 1er janvier 2006.

Article 3

Les États membres sont destinataires de la présente décision.

Fait à Bruxelles, le

Par le Conseil

Le président

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] JO C […] du […], p. […]

[2] JO C […] du […], p. […]

[3] JO L 358 du 31.12.2002, p. 59.

[4] JO L 157 du 30.4.2004, p. 114, rectificatif au JO L 195 du 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.