EC to release 600m euros in aid for fishermen
Thursday, 10 July 2008
BRUSSELS, July 9 (AFP): The European Commission (EC) said Tuesday it aimed to release up to 600 million euros (US$ 940 million) in aid to European Union (EU) fishermen to help them cope with soaring fuel prices.
The EU's executive arm said that the funds were part of a package of emergency measures to encourage restructuring of segments of fishing fleets hardest hit by the current fuel crisis.
The new money only became available after EC President Jose Manuel Barroso insisted in the face of reluctance from some commissioners to lift subsidies.
However, after protests against fuel prices in southern Europe, he was encouraged by countries such as France, whose fishing sector has long complained that its cries for help fall on deaf ears in Brussels.
The EU's executive arm said that the funds were part of a package of emergency measures to encourage restructuring of segments of fishing fleets hardest hit by the current fuel crisis.
The new money only became available after EC President Jose Manuel Barroso insisted in the face of reluctance from some commissioners to lift subsidies.
However, after protests against fuel prices in southern Europe, he was encouraged by countries such as France, whose fishing sector has long complained that its cries for help fall on deaf ears in Brussels.