European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020

The Council held a public debate on the three main proposals for regulations in the common fisheries policy (CFP) reform "package":

·        Proposal for a regulation on the CFP replacing the basic provisions of the CFP;

·        Proposal for a regulation on the common organisation (CMO) of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products focusing on market policy issues;

·        Proposal for a regulation on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) replacing the existing European Fisheries Fund.

As regards the EMFF, many delegations mentioned aquaculture as a key EU priority with a view to meeting the objectives and obligations of the reformed CFP. Moreover, during this session, 16 Member States presented a joint declaration on enhanced support for aquaculture enterprises from the EMFF (Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain).

Research and innovation were also mentioned as key priorities of the EMFF.

Concerning measures financed by the EMFF, some Member States insisted that this Fund should continue to offer financial support for fleet renewal and aid for fishermen choosing to stop working in this area, whilst others argued that this fund needed to focus on innovation, growth and creation of jobs.

The debate established that the EMFF should be used to foster innovation and selectivity, environmental protection, data collection, scientific research and advice, and control of fishing operations.

Lastly, several Member States noted that whilst the use of the resources of the EMFF could be optimised for growth, creation of jobs and social cohesion in coastal and rural areas, there was a risk of increasing the administrative burden. Simplification was emphatically requested by many Member States.