WRITTEN QUESTION E-1023/04 by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Modernisation of the Portuguese fishing fleet.
Date: 2004-04-05
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing arrangements, FIFG, Portugal, fishing fleet, fishing industry, less-favoured region, modernisation aid

C 88 E/272

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

for them, a satisfactory solution to a number of other outstanding issues, including improved conditions
for Norwegian export of shrimp to the Union. The Commission has agreed with Norway to have a high
level meeting again in principal [sic] in June 2004 to continue the dialogue and to find among other issues
a satisfactory solution to the access problems for Community vessels fishing shrimp at Svalbard.’

Given that there has still been no progress whatever made and that certain Community fleets, e.g. the fleet
working in NAFO, have seen their catches seriously reduced, which means that an additional effort to find
alternatives is called for, is the Commission aware of the damage being done to the EU fleet by the
currently dormant state of negotiations with Norway?

Since the EU fleet’s sole request is for a greater fishing presence at any one time in the area in question,
and Norway may possibly agree to this, does the Commission not believe that at this point, it would be
appropriate to bring forward the high level meeting scheduled for June, so as to put an end to this very
prejudicial situation as soon as humanly possible?

(1) OJ C 229 E, 26.9.2002, p. 172.
(2) OJ C 78 E, 27.3.2004, p. 830.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(28 April 2004)

The Commission must reiterate the point that discussions with Norway have taken place on a number of
occasions in an attempt to resolve the outstanding issue of the shrimp fishing by the Community fleet at
Svalbard. Norway’s position on this matter has remained unchanged for some time despite the
Commission’s intervention. Norway continues to seek improved trade conditions for Norwegian exports
of shrimp in return for any improved access conditions for Community vessels.

Whilst it is acknowledged that the Community and Norway will next be having high level discussions in
June 2004, informal contacts on the shrimp fishing conditions take place on a continuous basis with
Norway. The Commission already works closely with the Member States in order to ensure the best
distribution of available fishing days. The Commission last met with the Member States on this matter in
March 2004.

The Commission is acutely aware of the problems encountered by certain Member States with respect to
their fishing possibilities. It would like to see real improvements in the fishing conditions. The Commission
is not of the opinion that it would help the Community’s position in this respect if the high level
discussions were brought forward to an earlier date.

(2004/C 88 E/0277)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1023/04

by Ilda Figueiredo (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Modernisation of the Portuguese fishing fleet

(5 April 2004)

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.

8.4.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 88 E/273

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.

(2004/C 88 E/0278)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1027/04

by Marie Isler Béguin (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Respect for Community environmental legislation

(26 March 2004)

The conservation and restoration of biodiversity are stated objectives of the Commission. The Community
sphere has the à priori wherewithal to meet these challenges, including ‘inter alia’ the Birds and Habitats
Directives, and the Directive on Environmental Impact Studies. The Member States have incorporated the
main provisions of this Community framework within their own national legislation.

However, the balance sheet for the transposition of these directives, particularly in France, is unfortunately
less than satisfactory. Since territorial development programmes are a major source of adverse impact on
biodiversity, the prior legal conditions which have to be met before implementing any structural project,
above all, affecting Natura 2000 sites, should correctly incorporate the conservation imperative.