Commission approves Joe Borg's funding proposal

The European Commission has adopted a proposal by Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg on financial assistance to implement the EU's Common Fisheries Policy for 2007-13.

The planned budget is of €2.6 billion, funding which Dr Borg said would ensure the implementation of measures to make fisheries sustainable.

"It will also ensure that the Union meets its international commitments in the fight against illegal fishing practices in EU waters and beyond," he said.

Dr Borg said the involvement of fishermen and other stakeholders in fisheries management will be crucial to the success of these measures.

Commission sources told The Times funding would go towards areas such as control and enforcement, conservation measures, data collection and improvement of scientific recommendations, governance and international relations and rights at sea.

The sources said that in the control and enforcement sector, for which €472.5 million (Lm205 million) are being dedicated, funding is essentially for the new member states, both the current, including Malta, and those still to join.

Fishermen from these member states will be assisted to invest in heavy equipment in order to meet CFP requirements.

The sources said the Commission believes it will also be necessary for equipment currently in service to be modernised in other member states and to integrate new technologies in this area for control purposes.

Funding is also planned for the fisheries monitoring centres, which the Council of the EU has just agreed to set up. Fishing control activities target migratory stock, notably in the Mediterranean.

In order to fund these and other measures, the Commission is planning to gradually increase community aid to member states from €35 million (Lm15.2 million) in 2006 to €40 million (Lm17.3 million) by 2013.