EU fishing industry welcomes EC’s proposal to mitigate the impact of coronavirus

The European Commission yesterday published a legislative package in response to the severe economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the fishing industry.

The proposed framework unlocks existing EU funding and market schemes to support affected fishers. The EU fishing industry, as represented by Europêche, said it welcomed the emergency measures proposed by the commission to try to mitigate the adverse effects of those who are being directly threatened by the crisis and to calm the tension in the markets.

Europêche said it looks forward to a quick adoption by EU authorities, allowing a speedy and flexible implementation of the provisions in the member states. Europêche added that is 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 crisis.

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 destined 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 February 1, 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.

“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 per cent of fish prices threatening their financial viability,” commented Mr Garat, President of Europêche. “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.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic will have tremendous and unpredictable implications for the future of our industry,” added Pim Visser, President of EAPO. “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. 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.”