Common Fisheries Policy (CFP): Regional Advisory Councils, Community financial aid

PURPOSE: to establish Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2007/409/EC amending Decision 2004/585/EC establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy.

CONTENT: the Council adopted a Decision amending Decision 2004/585/EC establishing Regional Advisory Councils under the Common Fisheries Policy.

Regional Advisory Councils offer advice on the Common Fisheries Policy to the Commission and Member States and ensure effective involvement of stakeholders which is one of the essential pillars of the reformed Common Fisheries Policy and a prerequisite of good governance.

Consequently, the Council has amended the Decision 2004/585/EC as follows:

- a Regional Advisory Council which has acquired legal personality may apply for Community financial aid as a body pursuing an aim of general European interest within the meaning of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities;

- the Commission shall sign a grant agreement with each Regional Advisory Council to cover their operational costs, including translation and interpretation costs;

- the Commission may carry out all verifications it considers necessary to ensure compliance with the tasks assigned by Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 and this Decision to the Regional Advisory Councils.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 22 June 2007.