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2014 discharge: European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA)

2015/2183(DEC)

The European Parliament decided to grant discharge to the Executive Directive of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) in respect of the implementation of the budget of the European Fisheries Control Agency for the financial year 2014. The vote on the discharge decision covers the closure of the accounts (in accordance with Annex V, Article 5(1)(a) to its Rules of Procedure).

Noting that the Court of Auditors issued a statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions for the financial year 2014, Parliament adopted by 509 votes to 125, with 4 abstentions, a resolution containing a number of recommendations that needed to be taken into account when the discharge is granted, in addition to the general recommendations that appear in the draft resolution on performance, financial management and control of EU agencies:

  • Agency’s financial statements: Parliament noted that the final budget of the Agency for the financial year 2014 was EUR 9 217 150 and the entire budget of the Agency derives from the Union budget.
  • Budget and financial management: Parliament noted budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2014 resulted in a budget implementation rate of 99.09 %, attaining the Agency's target and representing an increase of 0.45 % compared to 2013.

Parliament also made a series of observations regarding commitments and carryovers, prevention and management of conflicts of interest, internal audit and the Agency’s performance.

Parliament noted the efforts made by the Agency in order to train Union inspectors, Member States and third countries officials. This has led to a considerable rise in the number of trained officials participating in inspections coordinated by the Agency within the framework of joint development plans. Moreover, it noted that there was an increase in such inspections to around 12 700, with more than 700 suspected infringements detected during 2014.

It acknowledged the important contribution to the implementation of the objectives of the reformed common fisheries policy made by the Agency. It welcomed the Agency's close engagement with the Member States to organise the monitoring of the landing obligation by improving the control and surveillance of fisheries activities.

Lastly, Parliament recalled the importance of strengthening the Agency's mandate so as to put in place joint operational activities with other Union agencies in the maritime sector in order to prevent disasters at sea and to coordinate the functions of European coastguards.