Yesterday the green light from the State Regions Conference for the reprogramming of the Feamp 2014-2020 resources and the provision in which the methods and procedures are defined in order to favor the maximum possible use of the relative measures by the managing authority, the bodies intermediate and local action groups in the fisheries sector.
"This is a strategic and necessary measure to make fully applicable the new interventions introduced with the (EU) Regulations aimed at addressing the direct and indirect damages deriving from the emergency from COVID19, ensuring business continuity and ensuring fishing operators particularly affected by the emergency and the blockage of the catering channel to deal with the consequences of the pandemic with European aid, "said Minister Bellanova.
And again: “Among the new measures we find, among others, the extension of financial support for the cessation of fishing activities, the extension of the scope of mutual funds, the granting of working capital and compensation to aquaculture farmers for the temporary suspension or reduction of production / sales or for the additional storage costs which occurred between 1 February and 31 December and, finally, the extension of the aquatic stock insurance ".
In the same session, moreover, the green light for interventions for bureaucratic simplification in favor of the fruit and vegetables and wine sectors.
In particular, with the provision relating to fruit and vegetables, the numerous exceptions introduced by Reg. (EU) no. 884/2020 relating to the regulations on the activity of producer organizations in the fruit and vegetable sector and the implementation of operational programs co-financed by the European Union. “An awaited and important step”, continues Bellanova, “which thus avoids sanctions for producer organizations when it is shown that the failure to comply with the regulatory provisions depended on the effects of Covid-19. Farmers will not incur sanctions due to delays due to the COVID-19 emergency ".
Finally, on the wine side, the decree fired allows the control bodies of the wine sector to be able to complete the inspection visits for all the controlled denominations even after the deadline of 31 December 2020 but no later than 28 February 2021. "A necessary measure" , explains the Minister, “considering how much the restrictive measures deriving from Covid-19 have severely limited and slowed down ordinary control activities. In this way, we guarantee maximum attention to the quality and safety of the wines and the usual rigor by providing for the completion of the visits, at the same time allowing the necessary flexibility required by exceptional circumstances ".