The European Commission has published a legislative package in response to the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the fishing industry, unlocking existing EU funding and market schemes to support those affected.
These emergency measures by the Commission has been welcomed by the EU fishing industry, as these aim to mitigate the adverse effects on those who are being directly threatened by the crisis and to calm the tension on markets.
‘We are facing a paradox – EU and national governments are encouraging our operators to continue fishing but, for the moment, they are not tabling any measure to compensate the loss of income faced by our companies due to the huge reduction of up to 50% of fish prices, threatening their financial viability,’ said Europêche president Javier Garat, as he welcomed these fundamental changes by commented that the industry however would have liked to see a higher level of ambition.
‘It should be seen as fundamental that our fishermen continue to supply healthy food under these very difficult circumstances. Therefore, it is essential for them to receive a certain level of income compensation through the EMFF or other funds to make this possible,’ he added.
The European fishing industry is now looking forward to a quick adoption by EU authorities allowing a speedy and flexible implementation of the provisions in the Member States.
Europêche has voiced its disappointed that no extra funding is included and is calling that this be addressed as a matter of urgency in light of the fact that otherwise the measures proposed will not be effective to cope with the unprecedented crisis.
‘The fishing industry is a vital, sustainable and responsible sector, committed to continue fishing and maintaining food security. However, the fishing sector has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 crisis. If we want to have a healthy fishing industry after the crisis we need additional funding and full flexibility in the interpretation and application of any new rules,’ Javier Garat said.
In its proposal the European Commission has put forward the necessary legislative modifications to allow Member States more flexibility to reallocate and transfer unused financial means of their fisheries funds (EMFF) so it can be routed to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus where needed.
The Commission also modifies EMFF-provisions to allow aid for those fleets forced to stay in the port due to quarantine measures, operational problems or market disruptions. Member States may apply this support with retroactive effect from 1st February 2020. The Commission also reintroduces storage aid mechanisms for fish unsold due to the lack of market demand or extremely low prices, with a view to fostering the stabilisation of the markets.
‘The COVID-19 pandemic will have tremendous and unpredictable implications for the future of our industry. We appreciate the efforts and legislative changes made by the Commission to unlock and redistribute the existing funding possibilities. However, many countries have already spent or committed most of their available national funding under the EMFF,’ said EAPO president Pim Visser.
‘In addition, the market situation, once the public health crisis is under control, is expected to be very difficult. Therefore, extra-funding should be injected in the fisheries fund by the EU, in order for these measures to effectively cope with the crisis. We are just in the midst of a horrific storm and we do not know how long it will last.”
