Written answers

Tuesday, 29 November 2011

Department of Agriculture, Marine and Food

Fisheries Sector

9:00 pm

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 449: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason there is no grant aid for new boats under 15 metres; the reason grant aid is available for boats over five years old but none for new builds; if he will consider a waiver for inshore boats under fifteen metres; if he will consider that charging per kilowatts for inshore boats be exempt in view of the pressure on the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37123/11]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

All State grant aid to the fisheries sector must be in compliance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1198/2006 of 27 July 2006 on the European Fisheries Fund (the EFF Regulation). Schemes and Programmes implemented through BIM are designed to be in compliance with the EFF Regulation.

The Special Assistance for Young Fishermen Scheme is based on Article 27(2) and (3) of the EFF Regulation. Article 27(2) specifies that support may only be provided for the acquisition of a vessel that is between 5 and 30 years old. I have no power to provide a waiver from EU Regulations.

In relation to 'charging per kilowatts', I assume the Deputy is referring to replacement capacity when a new vessel is entered on the register. Article 13 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy, requires that Member States manage entries into their fleet and exits from their fleet in such a way that, from 1 January 2003, the entry of new capacity into the fleet without public aid is compensated by the previous withdrawal without public aid of at least the same amount of capacity. In other words there must be 100% replacement capacity to enter a new vessel on the register. I do not have any discretion on the requirement for replacement capacity. Capacity is a privately traded commodity and I have no role in that market. All State grant aid to the fisheries sector must be in compliance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1198/2006 of 27 July 2006 on the European Fisheries Fund (the EFF Regulation). Schemes and Programmes implemented through BIM are designed to be in compliance with the EFF Regulation.

The Special Assistance for Young Fishermen Scheme comes within the scope of Article 27(2) and (3) of the EFF Regulation. This scheme provides special assistance for young fishermen to establish themselves in the industry. Young fishermen must be under 40 years of age at the time of application and must not have previously owned or part owned any fishing vessel. Applicants acquiring for the first time a second-hand white fish vessel can avail of grant aid of 15% of the acquisition costs or an amount not exceeding €50,000, whichever is the lower.

Article 27(2) specifies that support may only be provided for the acquisition of a vessel that is between 5 and 30 years old. I have no power to provide a waiver from EU Regulations.

In relation to 'charging per kilowatts', there is no charge levied by the Registrar of Sea-fishing Boats in respect of the licensing and registration of vessels. I assume the Deputy is referring instead to the market cost of replacement capacity when a new vessel is entered on the register. Article 13 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy, requires that Member States manage entries into their fleet and exits from their fleet in such a way that, from 1 January 2003, the entry of new capacity into the fleet without public aid is compensated by the previous withdrawal without public aid of at least the same amount of capacity. In other words there must be 100% replacement capacity to enter a new vessel on the register. I do not have any discretion on the requirement for replacement capacity. Capacity is a privately traded commodity and I have no role in that market.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.