THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
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 Sea, and in particular Article 8(2) thereof
Whereas:
(1)
The Union has been financing Member States actions in the field of fisheries control and enforcement since 1990, in line with the objectives established in Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy.
(2)
Regulation (EC) No 861/2006 provides, amongst other actions, for Union financial measures for expenditure on fisheries control, inspection and surveillance for the period 2007 to 2013. Commission Regulation (EC) No 391/2007 establishes detailed rules for the implementation of such measures.
(3)
Regulation (EU) No 693/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council modified the date by which Member States have to notify their annual fisheries control programme to the Commission.
(4)
For simplification purposes and being given the low cost of some investments, it is appropriate to accept projects below EUR 40 000 without requesting justification by Member States.
(5)
Rules related to documents supporting pre-financing requests should be aligned with the related provisions set out in Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities
(6)
In view of the principle of sound financial management, Member States should have clear indications on the rules to be followed in order to benefit from Union financial assistance when incurring expenditure in the area of fisheries control and enforcement.
(7)
Rules applicable to the Union financial contribution to national control programmes should be simplified and clarified.
(8)
Investments in the area of control and enforcement may be carried out by the competent national authorities, by administrative bodies or by the private sector. The statement of expenditure should be adapted in this respect.
(9)
Regulation (EC) No 391/2007 should therefore be amended accordingly.
(10)
The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: