[pic] | COMMISSIE VAN DE EUROPESE GEMEENSCHAPPEN |

Brussel, 20.7.2006

COM(2005)328 definitief

2005/0136(CNS)

Voorstel voor een

BESCHIKKING VAN DE RAAD

tot wijziging van Beschikking 2004/465/EG inzake een financiële bijdrage van de Gemeenschap aan de visserijcontroleprogramma’s van de lidstaten

.

(door de Commissie ingediend)

TOELICHTING

Al sinds 1991 verleent de Gemeenschap financiële steun aan de lidstaten voor de controle op de visserij. Zij doet dit omdat aan die controle hoge kosten zijn verbonden, vooral waar het gaat om de inspectie op zee met behulp van patrouillevaartuigen en vliegtuigen en om de investeringen in technologie en in netwerken op basis van informatietechnologie.

Tot dusver zijn vier beschikkingen van de Raad aangenomen om een bijdrage van de Gemeenschap te verlenen in de uitgaven van de lidstaten voor de controle op de visserij: Beschikking 89/631/EEG voor de periode 1991-1995, Beschikking 95/527/EG voor de periode 1996-2000, Beschikking 2001/431/EG voor de periode 2001-2003 en Beschikking 2004/465/EG voor 2004 en 2005. Uit een analyse van de resultaten van deze steunregeling blijkt duidelijk dat de financiële steun van de Gemeenschap aan de lidstaten een zeer positief effect op de controlesystemen van de lidstaten heeft gehad.

Beschikking 2004/465/EG verstrijkt op 31 december 2005 en het nieuwe financiële kader voor de visserij (periode 2007-2013) zal pas in 2007 in werking treden. Daarom moet de huidige financiële regeling zoals vastgesteld bij Beschikking 2004/465/EG met één jaar worden verlengd. Zo zal de Gemeenschap in de door de lidstaten voorgenomen uitgaven voor de controle op de visserij kunnen blijven bijdragen totdat de nieuwe financiële regeling in werking treedt. Voorts is het de bedoeling investeringen door de lidstaten op dit gebied te bevorderden. Bij een en ander wordt tevens rekening gehouden met de behoeften van het Communautair Bureau voor visserijcontrole.

In wezen wordt voorgesteld de geldigheidsduur van Beschikking 2004/465/EG met één jaar te verlengen. De prioriteiten en activiteiten die voor financiële steun van de Gemeenschap in aanmerking kunnen komen, blijven ongewijzigd behalve dat twee nieuwe activiteiten aan de lijst worden toegevoegd wegens de noodzaak de mogelijkheden voor de diensten van de Commissie om een beroep op technische bijstand te doen verder uit te breiden. De uiterste datum waarop de lidstaten verslag moeten uitbrengen over de geboekte vooruitgang, wordt aangepast aan de nieuwe geldigheidsduur.

Bijzondere aandacht zal worden geschonken aan de behoeften van de lidstaten die in 2004 tot de EU zijn toegetreden.

Het is de bedoeling om voor 2006 een bedrag van 35 miljoen euro uit te trekken.

De Commissie stelt de Raad voor het bijgaande voorstel goed te keuren.

2005/0136(CNS)

Voorstel voor een

BESCHIKKING VAN DE RAAD

tot wijziging van Beschikking 2004/465/EG inzake een financiële bijdrage van de Gemeenschap aan de visserijcontroleprogramma’s van de lidstaten

DE RAAD VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE,

Gelet op het Verdrag tot oprichting van de Europese Gemeenschap, en met nameop artikel 37,

Gezien het voorstel van de Commissie[1],

Gezien het advies van het Europees Parlement[2],

Overwegende hetgeen volgt:

(1) Het gemeenschappelijk visserijbeleid (GVB) bevat algemene regels inzake de instandhouding, het beheer, de verantwoorde exploitatie, de verwerking en de afzet van levende aquatische hulpbronnen.

(2) In Verordening (EG) nr. 2371/2002 van de Raad van 20 december 2002 inzake de instandhouding en de duurzame exploitatie van de visbestanden in het kader van het gemeenschappelijk visserijbeleid[3] is de nadruk gelegd op de noodzaak de samenwerking en de coördinatie tussen de lidstaten en met de Commissie te verbeteren om de controle te versterken en gedrag dat strijdig is met de GVB-regels, te ontmoedigen.

(3) De periode waarop Beschikking 2004/465/EG van de Raad van 29 april 2004 inzake een financiële bijdrage van de Gemeenschap aan de visserijcontroleprogramma’s van de lidstaten[4] betrekking heeft, loopt op 31 december 2005 af.

(4) Door interne budgettaire en administratieve problemen hebben de lidstaten die op 1 mei 2004 tot de Gemeenschap zijn toegetreden, slechts zeer beperkte financiële steun van de Gemeenschap verkregen in het kader van de huidige financiële regeling zoals ingesteld bij Beschikking 2004/465/EG.

(5) De nieuwe financiële vooruitzichten zullen betrekking hebben op de periode 2007-2013. Daarom moet, om een onderbreking van de financiële steun van de Gemeenschap te voorkomen, de financiële steun die op grond van Beschikking 2004/465/EG beschikbaar is voor de lidstaten, in 2006 worden gehandhaafd.

(6) Het is dienstig de werkingssfeer van Beschikking 2004/465/EG uit te breiden tot studies inzake de controle op de visserij en tot regelingen om de tenuitvoerlegging van nieuwe controletechnologieën te vergemakkelijken,

HEEFT DE VOLGENDE BESCHIKKING VASTGESTELD:

Artikel 1

Beschikking 2004/465/EG wordt als volgt gewijzigd:

(1) In artikel 3 wordt lid 2 vervangen door:

“2. Alle lidstaten dienen hun jaarlijkse visserijcontroleprogramma in uiterlijk op 1 juni 2004 voor 2004, 31 januari 2005 voor 2005 en 31 januari 2006 voor 2006.”.

(2) Aan artikel 4, lid 1, worden de volgende punten toegevoegd:

“i) op de tenuitvoerlegging van nieuwe controletechnologieën gerichte administratieve regelingen met het Gemeenschappelijk Centrum voor Onderzoek;

j) op initiatief van de Commissie uitgevoerde studies over gebieden die betrekking hebben op controle.”.

(3) In artikel 5, lid 1, wordt de eerste zin vervangen door:“Het financieel referentiebedrag voor de uitvoering van de gesubsidieerde activiteiten beloopt voor de periode 2004-2006 105 miljoen EUR.”.

(4) Aan artikel 6, lid 2, wordt het volgende punt toegevoegd:

“d) het steunpercentage voor de in artikel 4, lid 1, onder i) en j), bedoelde activiteiten 100 % van de in aanmerking komende uitgaven mag bedragen.”.

(5) In artikel 12, lid 2, wordt de datum “31 december 2008” vervangen door “31 december 2010”.

(6) In artikel 16, tweede alinea, onder b), wordt de datum “31 december 2006” vervangen door “31 december 2007”.

(7) In artikel 16, tweede alinea, onder b), wordt punt v) vervangen door:

“v) het effect van de financiële bijdrage op de visserijcontroleprogramma’s gedurende de gehele periode van 2001 tot en met 2006.”.

(8) In artikel 17 wordt de datum “30 juni 2007” vervangen door “30 juni 2008”.

Artikel 2

Deze beschikking is van toepassing met ingang van 1 januari 2006.

Artikel 3

Deze beschikking is gericht tot de lidstaten.

Gedaan te Brussel, op

Voor de Raad

De voorzitter

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] PB C […] van […], blz. […].

[2] PB C […] van […], blz. […].

[3] PB L 358 van 31.12.2002, blz. 59.

[4] PB L 157 van 30.4.2004, blz. 114, gerectificeerd in PB L 195 van 2.6.2004, blz. 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.