Fisheries: financial participation in the collection of data, the financing of studies and of pilot projects

The committee adopted the report (consultation procedure) by Elspeth ATTWOOLL (ELDR, UK) approving, with amendment, the Commission proposal on a financial contribution from the Community towards the expenditure incurred by the Member States in collecting data, and for financing studies and pilot projects for carrying out the common fisheries policy. The report pointed out that there was a very real need for a framework to be established, under which action aimed at gaining a better understanding of the fishing and aquaculture industry could be funded systematically. However, the proposal should have placed the measures to be funded in a clearer order of priority. The committee also felt that the intervals between the various activity reports which the Member States were required to submit to the European authorities should be shortened, and adopted a number of amendments accordingly.�