MEPs have voted to compensate EU fisheries and aquaculture businesses affected by the war in Ukraine.
The motion was carried 620 votes in favour, 10 against and 9 abstentions.
“This financial package will allow additional crisis measures to be used to support the EU fishery and aquaculture sectors in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” said European Parliament rapporteur Nuno Melo.
“In particular, funding will be made available to compensate for additional costs, for income forgone and for the storage of products, as well as for the temporary cessation of fishing activities. As for the latter measure, thanks to the European Parliament, aid will be extended for companies that temporarily cannot continue fishing due to economic constraints,” he added.
Member states will now be free to adjust the rules to use the remaining resources available in the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund for the 2014-2020 programming period. The compensation will cover lost income as well as additional costs incurred because of the war such as the increase in energy, raw materials and fish feed prices.
The aid will be provided retroactively from 24 February 2022, when the Russian aggression started, at a co-financing rate of 75%.
Following final plenary approval, the Council of the EU ministers will have to formally adopt the deal. It will enter into force following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
