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WRITTEN QUESTION E-2705/99
by Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE) to the Commission
(12 January 2000)
Subject: Fisheries - Reallocation of FIFG
If a Member State does not use its entire allocation of FIFG funds, can
the Commission confirm whether than Member State has the discretion to
reallocate the funds under a different programme in sectors other than
fisheries? If so, can the Commission provide examples of where this
practice has been followed?
Joint answer to Written Questions E-2705/99 and E-2706/99 given by Mr
Fischler on behalf of the Commission
(22 February 2000)
A Member State can, within the framework of the regulations on the
structural funds, re-allocate Community finance from one programme to
another or between funds in a Member State. It can also return the
allocation in part or in whole to the Commission for re-distribution to
another Member State or for other purposes as appropriate. One or more of
these options has been exercised by many Member States.
The total allocation to the Financial
instrument for fisheries guidance (FIFG) in the United Kingdom for
fisheries for the period 1994-1999 was 128,14 million. In 1999 this amount
was reduced by 25,25 million at the request of the British authorities due
mainly to a reduced financial requirement for a measure to decommission
fishing vessels. The amount returned by the United Kingdom was not
reallocated to another Member State but was used to help balance the
Community budget for 1999.
The 1998 and 1999 FIFG allocations for
the whole of the United Kingdom (all objective 1 and 5a programmes)
totalled 14,5 million and 41,2 million respectively. All of these FIFG
allocations have been committed.
It is important to note that financial
amounts allocated to measures in a programme are indicative only and it is
normal for changes to be made from time to time as circumstances dictate. |
