The French fishing industry has received an extension on its fuel aid scheme until the end of June 2024. Photo: European Union
The fishing industry in France has received an extension on its fuel aid scheme from the European Commission until the end of June next year.
The industry had been campaigning for the French Government to make their case to the Commission considering the drastic increase in diesel oil and other fuel prices which came about at the time when Russia invaded Ukraine.
In a press release, the French fisheries organisation, Comite National des Peches (CNPMEM) announced that the European Commission has resolved the question of extending the so-called “Ukraine” temporary aid.
The extension to the scheme allows the State to partially offset the increase in the cost of fishing fuel. This current scheme is set to cease at the end of December, but now has been extended until 30 June2024. The initial ceiling of €300,000, to which was added the €30,000 of so-called de minimis aid – was increased by €35,000 for the entire period.
Olivier Le Nezet, President of the CNPMEM declared:
“I take note of the result achieved by the Secretary of State for Fisheries, Mr. Berville. This is a step forward which will allow certain companies to continue their activity more peacefully while lasting solutions are found. I nevertheless regret that the situation of so-called related companies is still profoundly ignored by the European level while other sectors do not experience such constraints.”
Although the CNPMEM has welcomed the scheme it states that this progress does not address, either, the root of the problem: giving the sector and firstly production, the framework for renewing fishing vessels constrained by regulations which have not changed for 30 years. The sheer scale of the energy challenges alone requires it.
The CNPMEM therefore considers that it is urgent, given the central nature of the cost of energy, that the European Commission gives itself the means to achieve its ambitions. Supporting the energy transition cannot be reduced to prolonged temporary aid at the cost of intense negotiation efforts every six-months.
Olivier Le Nezet concluded by saying that on the need to continue discussions, particularly with local authorities, in connection with the use of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)) and the activation of another support lever, namely Article 26.2 of this fund makes it possible to support market disruptions. “There also remains the question of how this extension of the Ukraine regime will be linked with the commitment to a reduction at the pump of marketers and fuelers. We still have many hours of work to plan on this subject!”
Source: Press Release
