Common Fisheries Policy CFP: control, Community financial contribution, 2004-2005

PURPOSE : to establish the conditions under which the Community may grant a financial contribution to Member States for their fisheries control programmes. PROPOSED ACT : Council Decision. CONTENT : for the sake of greater clarity, it is proposed to redefine the measures eligible for financial support from the Community, most of which are already covered by the existing rules. The measures proposed as eligible for finance are: 1) purchase of computer equipment and installation of IT networks; 2) purchase of devices to locate fishing vessels and equipment for the electronic transmission of information; 3) pilot projects concerning the new technologies for monitoring fisheries activities; 4) training and exchanges of inspectors; 5) pilot projects for inspection plans and observers; 6) cost/benefit analysis of expenditure on inspections; 7) initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of complying with fisheries control provisions; 8) purchase and modernisation of boats and aircraft for inspections at sea. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS : - Budget line : B2-901 (11.07.02) Financial contribution to the Member States for expenditure in the field of control. - Total allocation for action : EUR 70 million. - Period of application : 2004 and 2005. The annual appropriations planned amount to EUR 35 million for 2004 and 2005. The normal Community contribution will be 50% of the expenditure incurred by the Member States; it could be higher for expenditure under points 2, 3 and 7. Projects under point 8 may receive no more than 35% of expenditure and only the new Member States joining on 1 May 2004 will be eligible.�