Press Release: Fisheries: Commission outlines emergency measures to address the fuel crisis

The European Commission today agreed in principle on the contents of an emergency package of measures to tackle the immediate social and economic hardship triggered by the dramatic rise in the price of oil while also tackling the underlying structural problems of the European fleet. The main measures will consist of temporary derogations to the rules of the European Fisheries Fund so as to support faster adaptation of the EU fleet to the present situation and provide temporary relief during the transitional phase. Key measures will include Fleet Adaptation Schemes to provide more, and more flexible, decommissioning aid for fleets that accept substantial restructuring, aid to encourage switching to more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly fishing methods, emergency aid for temporary cessation of activities, and market measures to increase the value of fish. European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Joe Borg will present the elements of this package at the Council of Fisheries Ministers in Luxembourg on 24 June, and the Commission plans to adopt a formal proposal on this subject early in July.

European Commission: MEMO/08/415: EU package to tackle the fuel crisis in the fisheries sector http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/415&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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