Agenda 2000: Financial instrument for fisheries guidance, application FIFG, structural assistance

Under consultation procedure, the European Parliament adopted the report by Miguel Arias Cañete (PPE,ES), which approves the Commission proposal for a Council regulation laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding the Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector, subject to a large number of amendments. As a matter of priority, the Parliament wishes to see all structural measures under the regulation financed by the FIFG alone, rather then a combination of the FIFG and the EAGGF guarantee section. The report extensively amends the original proposal by substituting the traditional programming of fisheries policy with development plans to be drawn up at the geographical level deemed to be the most appropriate and covering a period of 7 years from 01/01/2000. The report details the scope and content of the plans, which should include an indicative overall financial table summarising the national and Community financial resources provided for each year. Whenever possible, the Parliament proposes that fisheries support measures to be applied in one area be integrated into a single plan. The report defines a "multiannual guidance programme for the fishing fleet" as a series of objectives accompanied by a set of measures for their realisation, allowing for management of fishing effort on an overall, long-term basis. The report also makes significant amendments and clarifications in many other areas of the proposal, notably with regard to renewal of the fishing fleet and the modernisation of fishing vessels (particularly with regard to public financing in this area), measures related to the scrapping of vessels, the setting up of joint ventures and measures related to aquaculture. Amendments are also made in respect of small-scale coastal fishing, funding for the development of marine areas and the provision of fishing port facilities.�