EMFF OP 2014-2020Implementation Plan

Producer Organisation Scheme

Operational Programme EMFF Operational Programme 2014-2020Priority Union Priority 5 - Marketing and Processing Thematic Objective 6 - Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting

resource efficiency Specific Objective SO1 - Improvement of Market Organisation for Fishery and

Aquaculture ProductsActivity to be Supported Producer Organisation SchemeEMFF Certifying Body Finance Division, Dept. Of Agriculture, Food & the Marine.EMFF Managing Authority Marine Agencies & Programmes Division, Dept Of Agriculture,

Food and MarineIntermediate Body Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM)Grant Rate Up to 65% EU Co-Financing Rate 50%Legal basis Article 66 EMFF

1. Objective of Intervention

In accordance with section 3.1 of the OP, the overall objective of the Producer Organisation Scheme is to promote the contribution of Producer Organisations to implementation of the CFP and development of the seafood sector.

The Scheme may also support the following specific objectives outlined in section 3.1 of the OP.

Union Priority 1 – Fisheries Sector CFP implementation Reducing the Impact of Fisheries on the Marine Environment Implementing the Small Scale Coastal Fisheries Action Plan

Union Priority 2 – Aquaculture Sector Sustainable growth of output, value and employment Knowledge, Innovation and Technology

2. Legal Basis

The legal basis for this measure is article 66 of the EMFF Regulation (508/2014).

3. Definitions

Approved by MC 18 January 2018

For the purposes of this document:

‘Producer Organisation (PO)’ means an officially recognised body established by fishery or aquaculture producers in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 on the Common Organisation of the Markets in Fishery and Aquaculture Products (CMO Regulation).

‘Production and Marketing Plans’ (PMP) means a Plan produced by a PO in accordance with Article 28 of the CMO Regulation.

‘Annual Report’ means the annual report referred to in article 28(5) of Regulation (EU) No. 1379/2013.

4. Description of the Intervention

The Scheme will provide supports to POs for the preparation and implementation of PMPs.

PMPs provide for a range of actions which the PO concerned proposes to implement. Once the PMP is approved by the competent authority (DAFM) and the Annual Report for the year concerned is also approved by the competent authority, expenditure related to implementation of identified measures in the approved PMP, as verified by the Annual Report and necessary vouching documentation, is eligible for support under this Scheme or other EMFF Schemes. This Implementation Plan identifies the rates of support that will be provided for measures supported under this scheme.

Expenditure under this Scheme, and other Schemes providing supports under article 66 EMFF, will not exceed €3 million in total over the Programme period. This budget will be distributed across the Programme period. Supports provided in any particular year will be subject to available budget.

5. Selection Process

This is a non-competitive intervention. Approval of a PMP by the competent authority selects identified measures in the PMP for support under this Scheme. However, expenditure supported under another EMFF scheme will not be eligible under this Scheme. Expenditure incurred to implement identified measures in an approved PMP will be eligible for support following approval of the Annual Report for the year concerned.

6. Support Rates

Support will be provided only for measures identified in the approved PMP. For the purpose of reducing the very significant administrative burden on Producer Organisations and BIM associated with processing claims under this Scheme, Simplified Costs Options (SCOs) in the form of standard scales of unit costs or lump sums1 may be specified by BIM, with the approval of the Managing Authority. These will be distributed to Producer Organisations and published on BIM’s website. These SCOs will specify standard amounts of aid allowed for particular measures, without need for documentation vouching expenditure. These standard amounts will be calculated having regard to historic data under this Scheme or similar measures and will not exceed the aid intensity rates and maximum amounts specified below.

Measure

(must be identified in PMP)

Support Rate

% of eligible costs

Maximum aid per year

Preparation of PMP and Annual Report 65%€30,000

Administrative implementation of PMP2 65%€35,000

Celtic Sea Herring Management Advisory

Committee (administration costs)365% €5,000

Indirect Costs4 65% €3,500

Capital costs 65% €1,750

Attendance at specified meetings5 65%

Dissemination of knowledge & advisory

services65%

€23,000

All other identified measures6

See appendix 1 5% €1,000

7. Output Indicators1 In accordance with Article 67 of Regulation 1303/20132 ‘Administrative implementation’ means the direct staff costs of a PO for implementation of measures identified in the PMP.3 Available only for the PO administering the CSHMAC.4 Eligible ‘indirect costs’ will be calculated at a flat rate of 10% of eligible direct staff costs subject to the specified maximum level of support.5 Eligible costs under the category ‘attendance at identified meetings’ are travel and subsistence in accordance with public service rules and an agreed per diem rate. Eligible meetings will be specified by the intermediate body.6 The category ‘all other measures’ will support all other measures in a PMP, provided they are not supported under other EMFF schemes, as detailed in appendix 1. These measures must be identifiable in the approved PMP concerned.

The following Output Indicator is included in the EMFF Operational Programme.

Indicator Measurement Unit

Target Value 2023

Source of Information

Frequency of Reporting

No of Producer Organisations or Associations of Producer Organisations supported for Production and Marketing Plans

# 5 BIM Annual

8. Document Retention

In accordance with Article 140 of the Common Provisions Regulation (EC) 1303/2013, BIM will ensure that all supporting documents regarding expenditure, verification checks, certification and audits on operations for which total eligible expenditure is less than €1,000,000.00 are kept available for the EU Commission and Court of Auditors for a period of three years from 31 December following the submission of the accounts in which the expenditure of the operation is included.

In the case of operations over €1,000,000.00 all supporting documentation shall be kept for a 2 year period from 31 December following the submission of accounts in which the final expenditure of the completed operation is included.

The Managing Authority will inform BIM of the start date of the period referred to above.

9. Monitoring and Reporting arrangements

BIM will provide periodic updates to the Monitoring Committee on the progress of this Scheme. These updates will form part of the agenda for meetings of the Monitoring Committee.

BIM will provide information on the implementation of this Scheme to the Managing Authority to contribute to:

The compilation of the Annual Implementation Report under article 114 of the EMFF Regulation to be transmitted to the Commission by 31 May each year.

A Common Monitoring and Evaluation System under article 107 of the EMFF Regulation;

Data on operations selected for funding required to be submitted to the Commission under Article 97(1)(a) of the EMFF Regulation by 31 March each year.

The Managing Authority will annually present information on the implementation of this Scheme to the Monitoring Committee through the Annual Implementation Report, which will be presented for the Committee’s approval.

The Managing Authority and/or BIM will maintain a website providing details of this Scheme and its progress.

10. Information and Publicity

The contribution of the Irish exchequer and EMFF 2014-2020, will be acknowledged in all brochures, promotional material, press releases, publicity activity, advertisements, signage, applications forms, annual reports, letters of offer, etc., by use of appropriate logo and text references.

The Managing Authority and BIM will ensure compliance with Annex V of Commission Regulation 508/2014 concerning the provision of information on the Operational Programme and the co-funding provided by the Union.

Appendix 1EMFF OP Support for other measures included in PMPs

Scheme Description

Sustainable Fisheries Scheme To support fishermen in implementing the Discards Ban and Landing Obligation.

Supports for catching sector for development of change management plans by fishermen, POs, Co-ops to implement discards ban and landing obligation.

Supports for catching sector for innovation, advisory services, technical trials, gear technology development, industry science partnerships etc

Supports for fishing vessels for investment in energy efficiency, engine replacement and for fishermen <40 years to purchase first fishing vessel.

Inshore Fisheries Conservation Scheme To support implementation of the Small Scale Coastal Fisheries Action Plan, including stock conservation measures, fishery management plans etc.

Decommissioning Scheme Compensation for scrapping of vessels in certain fleet segments identified as imbalanced in Fleet Report

Seafood Skills & Training Measure Supports for seafood sector for training, skills development, fisheries apprenticeship, and capacity building of stakeholders

New Fishermen Scheme Supports to fishermen under 40 years of age to acquire ownership of their first fishing vessel

Fisheries Local Development Scheme To promote economic, environmental and social sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture areas through FLAG groups

Sustainable Aquaculture Scheme To promote sustainable growth in output, value and employment in the aquaculture sector.

Knowledge Gateway Scheme (Aquaculture) To promote knowledge, innovation and technology in aquaculture

Data Collection Scheme Fish stock surveys etc.

Seafood Processing Capital Investment Scheme Supports for capital investment by seafood processing SMEs

Seafood Innovation and Business Planning Scheme Supports for new product development, and for development of a structured business approach to seafood innovation and assist in Business Planning, Gap Analysis and Mentoring to Seafood SMEs.

Seafood Scaling & New Market Development Scheme

Supports for projects that promote economies of scale in the seafood processing sector through industry cooperation, joint

ventures, and shared route to market structures.

Storage Aid Aid to POs for storage of fishery products as a market support mechanism

Seafood Promotion Scheme Common interest seafood promotion through international Trade Fairs to develop sales and win new markets