In a letter to the European Parliament, fisheries commissioner Maria Damanaki reiterates her disapproval of a raised ceiling of de minimis aid.

Damanaki’s letter was sent to Jerzy Buzek, president of the European Parliament, following the parliament’s resolution of 12 May on the European fisheries sector crisis due to the rise in oil prices.

Increasing the aid ceiling “would favour fuel intensive technologies with larger negative impact on the marine environment, at the expense of smaller less fuel intensive vessels,” Damanaki writes, adding that increased aid would also distort competition and that Member States already have funds that can be used to improve fuel efficiency.

Link: Read Damanaki’s letter
Background: Quotes from the fuel subsidy debate

•