Common fisheries policy (CFP): Community financial measures for the implementation of the CFP and in the area of the Law of the Sea

The European Parliament adopted by 633 votes to 26, with 13 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 861/2006 of 22 May 2006 establishing Community financial measures for the implementation of the common fisheries policy and in the area of the Law of the Sea.

It adopted its position at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendments adopted in plenary are the result of a compromise negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council. They amend the proposal as follows:

Title of the Regulation: the title shall be replaced by the following: Regulation establishing Union financial measures for the implementation of the common fisheries policy and in the area of the Law of the Sea.

Specific objectives in the area of data collection, management and use and scientific advice: Union financial measures shall contribute to the objective of improving data collection, management and use and scientific advice on the state of the resources, the level of fishing, the impact that fisheries have on the resources and the marine eco-system, on the economic aspects of fisheries and aquaculture.

Expenditure in the area of scientific advice should include expenditure for partnership contracts with international bodies in charge of stock assessment.

Measures in the area of control and enforcement: expenditure incurred by Member States for the purchase and/or development of technology, including the development of web-sites related to control, may be eligible for Community financial measures.

Aquaculture: expenditure incurred for the collection of environmental and socio-economic data on the aquaculture and processing industry, as laid down in the multi-annual Union programme shall be eligible for Union financial support.

Measures in the area of governance: in the area of governance, the following expenditure shall be eligible for Community financial measures: providing very wide access to data and explanatory material concerning, in particular, Commission proposals, through the development of the Internet websites of the appropriate Commission departments and producing a regular publication, as well as organising information and training seminars for opinion formers.

Programming: applications by Member States for Union financial measures shall be submitted to the Commission by 15 November prior to the year of implementation concerned.

Such applications shall be accompanied by an annual fisheries control programme containing the following information:

• the objectives of the annual fisheries control programme;
• the planned human resources available;
• the planned financial resources available;
• the planned number of vessels and aircraft available;
• a list of projects for which a financial contribution is sought;
• the overall expenditure planned for carrying out the projects;
• a schedule for completion in respect of each project listed in the annual fisheries control programme;
• a list of indicators to be used to assess the efficacy of the programme.

Implementing powers: in order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of the measures in the area of control and enforcement, powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powers.

Repeal of obsolete acts: Regulation (EC) No 657/2000 and decisions 2000/439/EC and 2004/465/EC are hereby repealed with effect from 1 January 2007.