MEMO/08/13
Brussels, 11 January 2008
France: Operational Programme for the French fishing industry (Programme Opérationnel FEP 2007 - 2013 de la France) co-funded by the European Fisheries Fund Summary
The European Commission recently approved the Operational Programme for the French fishing industry for the period 2007-2013. The total eligible public expenditure under this programme is € 436.2 million, with EU assistance through the European Fisheries Fund (EFF) amounting to € 216.0 million. € 181.8 million of EFF aid will be allocated to the non-convergence regions (metropolitan France) and € 34.3 million to the convergence regions (Overseas Departments).
The purpose and aim of the EU investment
During 2000-2006 France benefited from EU support under the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) of over € 278 million. As a result, more than 9,500 projects received support.
This new EU programme for 2007-2013 aims to build on the success of the previous programme and consolidate the structural socio-economic preconditions for a viable fisheries and aquaculture sector that respects fisheries resources and the marine environment, while meeting the demands of consumers and the food industry, and safeguarding, as far as possible, the income of the fishers.
Priority axes
Priority 1: Adaptation of the EU fishing fleet
This priority axis aims at promoting profitable and sustainable fisheries in maritime areas. Measures are particularly aimed at reducing the current capacity of the fishing fleet, improvements to the energy efficiency of vessels or the selectivity of fishing gear, enhancing safety and working conditions on board, improving product traceability and quality, providing retraining and life-long learning for fishers, and facilitating the entry of young fishers into the sector.
Priority 2: Aquaculture, inland fishing, processing and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products
The objective of this axis is to promote sustainable and profitable business activities in aquaculture and to improve both the fish processing and the fisheries wholesale trade. The measures concerned are particularly aimed at increasing production, improving quality and hygiene and introducing innovative and environmentally-friendly methods. The main targets for this funding are micro- and small enterprises.
Priority 3: Measures of common interest
This accompanying axis supports measures of common interest with a broader scope than measures normally undertaken by private enterprises and which help to meet the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy. This axis also provides support for collective actions, protection and development of aquatic fauna and flora, fishing and landing equipment on shore, development of new markets and promotional campaigns, and the dissemination of good practice or results from innovative actions.
Priority 4: Sustainable development of fisheries areas
This new axis aims, through the implementation of a development strategy based on local actors, at facilitating regional business activities, particularly by developing innovative actions and reinforcing cluster thinking in the fisheries sector at the initiative of local fisheries groups. Initially, eleven fisheries groups will be selected with an average budget of € 1 million per local group. Regional development actions and operations associated with the diversification of activities, such as fishing tourism and ecotourism, in particular, will be financed under this priority axis.
Priority 5: Technical assistance
Support is provided under this axis to ensure that the management, control and monitoring systems of the operational programme function efficiently and that the EFF rules and aids are implemented in an appropriate manner and on time. This axis also covers needs for information and publicity.
Responsible Authority and contact details
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Directorate for Fisheries and Aquaculture
Managing Authority for Operational Programme
EFF Operational Programme for France
Director: Christian LIGEARD Address: Direction de la pêche et de l'aquaculture
Place de Fontenoy, n°3 FR-75007 ParisFrance
Tel. +33 1 49 55 49 55
Fax +33 1 49 55 82 00
E-mail: dpma@agriculture.gouv.fr Website: http://agriculture.gouv.fr/sections/thematiques/peche-aquaculture
Operational Programme for the French Fisheries Industry for the period 2007-2013 - Programme Opérationnel FEP 2007-2013 de la France, co-funded by EFF
Financial table
Financing plan by priority axis for the period 2007-2013 (in EUR)
Non-convergence objective regions (metropolitan France) Priority axes Total Public a=(b+c) EFF Contribution (b) National Contribution (c) EFF co-financing rate (d)=(b)/(a)*100 Priority axis 1 Adaptation of the fishing fleet 134,990,828 53,995,414 80,995,414 40% Priority axis 2 Aquaculture and food industry 109,390,828 54,695,414 54,695,414 50% Priority axis 3 Measures of common interest 131,326,572 65,663,286 65,663,286 50% Priority axis 4 Local development 10,908,164 5,454,082 5,454,082 50% Technical assistance 3,989,090 1,994,545 1,994,545 50% Total 390,605,482 181,802,741 208,802,741 47% Convergence objective regions (overseas department) Priority axes Total Public a=(b+c) EFF Contribution (b) National Contribution (c) EFF co-financing rate (d)=(b)/(a)*100 Priority axis 1 Adaptation of the fishing fleet 7,501,440 5,626,080 1,875,360 75% Priority axis 2 Aquaculture and food industry 11,111,731 8,333,798 2,777,933 75% Priority axis 3 Measures of common interest 25,848,174 19,386,130 6,462,044 75% Priority axis 4 Local development 327,416 245,562 81,854 75% Technical assistance 878,364 658,773 219,591 75% Total 45,667,125 34,250,343 11,416,781 75% 
