In response to a question from Senator Larriba Elvira, Arias Caete has said that to understand the scope of the agreement, it must be taken into account of where they started.
Mr Arias Caete recalled that since the start of the discussions and the various Councils of Ministers of the EU, "the government defended the need to keep aid for operators and crews for the withdrawal of capacity and temporary cessation of fishing activities and on-board investments in the package to ensure the success of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy".
Thus, "after intense negotiations" during the political debate in the last Council of Fisheries Ministers of the EU, Spain has managed to approve aid for permanent cessation to operators and crews, which may be adopted until 2017 and paid until 2019, and covering almost the entire programming period."
In addition, support has been achieved for emergency measures (such as natural disasters), disruption of a fisheries agreement or multiannual management plans.
At the same time, aid for investment in the health, safety and modernisation of vessels has also been approved.
Also incorporated is a new aid measure for young fishermen to acquire operating boats under 24 meters and between five and 30 years old. Up to €50,000 or 15 per cent of the acquisition costs will be available.
Minister Details Improvements Made in the Future of Maritime and Fisheries
SPAIN - The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Miguel Arias Caete, has reiterated that the agreements reached at the last Council of Ministers of the EU, was "very positive" in terms of introducing "substantial improvements in the original Commission proposal and for responding to the Spanish demands".
by Lucy Towers
