Commission Regulation (EC) No 391/2007
of 11 April 2007
laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 861/2006 as regards the expenditure incurred by Member States in implementing the monitoring and control systems applicable to the Common Fisheries Policy
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 861/2006 of 22 May 2006 establishing Community financial measures for the implementation of the common fisheries policy and in the area of the Law of the Sea1, and in particular Article 31 thereof,
Whereas:
The Community has been financing Member States actions in the field of fisheries control and enforcement since 1990, in line with the objectives established under Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/20022.
Improvements towards an efficient control system throughout the Community will be difficult to achieve without incentives, in particular when new technologies are to be tested and introduced where appropriate.
Evidence shows that the resources of Member States are still inadequate to fulfil their obligations under Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002. In particular, Community aid to assist Member States is requested in order to overcome existing differences in their fisheries control and surveillance capabilities.
Regulation (EC) No 861/2006 provides, amongst other actions, for Community financial measures for expenditure on fisheries control, inspection and surveillance for the period 2007 to 2013.
Article 8(a) of Regulation (EC) No 861/2006 provides for a list of actions undertaken by Member States in the area of fisheries control and enforcement which shall be considered eligible for Community financial assistance.
In view of the principle of sound financial management, Member States must have clear indications on the rules to be followed in order to benefit from Community financial assistance when incurring on expenditure in the area of fisheries control and enforcement.
It is necessary to ensure that Community funds available for such actions are allocated efficiently with a view to reducing identified weaknesses in such a way that controls are carried out to a high standard.
Member States should assess their programmes and the impact of their expenditure on control, inspection and surveillance, each year and over the whole period 2007 to 2013.
With the view of simplifying procedures, as of 1 January 2007 claims for reimbursement relating to expenditure approved on the basis of Council Decisions 95/527/EC3, 2001/431/EC4 and 2004/465/EC5, shall be submitted in accordance with Annexes VI and VII to this Regulation.
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: