Press Release: Fisheries: Commission extends aid for improving vessel safety, hygiene and engine efficiency

The European Commission has adopted a proposal amending some rules of the Common Fisheries Policy to extend existing public aid for the enhancement of safety, hygiene, working conditions, product quality and energy efficiency on board fishing vessels. This proposal follows on from the adoption on 27 July 2006 of the European Fisheries Fund (EFF), which will be the key funding mechanism for the fisheries sector and fisheries communities as of 1 January 2007. In line with the Common Fisheries Policy, EFF aid will not be used for measures that increase the fishing capacity of the European fleet. The EFF does however allow aid to be allocated to replace old engines with new but smaller engines, and for the creation of a 'GT (tonnage) bank' to promote better safety and hygiene conditions. Though these new measures will not lead to any increase in capacity, they do nevertheless require changes to the existing Basic Regulation of the CFP.