Today,the European Commission further acknowledged the important contribution of the recently established Regional Advisory Councils (RACs) to the application of the Common Fisheries Policy by proposing to increase the amount of EU financial support that they currently receive.
The Commission proposes to amend the legal base of the RACs (1) and to define them as bodies contributing to the European interest. The Commission’s proposed amendment would strengthen the RACs and provide them with a stable annual contribution from the EU budget. The EU grant would cover up to 90 % of their costs. The annual allocation would amount to € 250,000 per RAC. This should cover both their operational costs and their translation and interpretation costs.
“RACs are fast becoming full players in the management of European fisheries. This is a positive development which must be encouraged. Their contribution must not be hampered by lack of funds. This proposal fully recognises the crucial role that they have to play in our common efforts to achieve sustainable management of our fisheries and to secure a more stable situation for the industry.” said Joe Borg, European Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.
The stakeholder-led RACs were established as a result of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in 2002, to improve stakeholder involvement in policy-making. The role of the RACs is to provide advice to the Commission and Member States on fisheries matters which fall within their area of competence. The Commission must respond to this advice.
The EU financial assistance currently allocated to the RACs is scheduled to decrease with each year of operation, coming to an end after five years. Funding would then be gradually found from other sources. However, the existing RACs have experienced difficulties in operating effectively within this financial framework. There are concerns that this situation could seriously hinder their ability to meet their objectives in the near future.