Alleviating the war’s impact on EU fisheries and aquaculture

Under the draft legislation, member states will be allowed to use the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) to support EU fisheries operators, producer organisations and aquaculture operators whose activities were jeopardised by the war and whose economic viability is endangered by trade and supply chain disruption. According to MEPs, the processing sector should also benefit.

Compensation would cover not only lost income but also additional costs the sectors have incurred related to price increases for fuel, raw materials and fish feed. The support would, according to the proposal, feature a maximum co-financing rate of 75% and should be available retroactively from the start of the Russian invasion on 24 February. The proposal eases the rules applicable to current EMFF programmes so that financial help is available as soon as possible.