51999PC0551

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on a financial contribution from the Community towards the expenditure incurred by the Member States in collecting data, and for financing studies and pilot projects for carrying out the common fisheries policy

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Effective fisheries research in the European Union is essential for carrying out and developing the common fisheries policy. Research on fisheries and aquaculture has an important Community dimension that extends beyond the powers and resources of the individual Member States. Stocks that are shared by several Member States predominate. From an economic point of view the fishing industry is highly integrated within the Community, particularly as regards markets. Environmental issues, which are crucial for both fisheries and aquaculture, present challenges that regularly extend beyond national boundaries. The extent of the scientific fields to be explored in both fisheries and aquaculture research is such that the only way to make rapid progress is through wide-ranging cooperation at Community level.

The fifth framework programme for research is marked overall by the need to take better account of the requirements of Community policies, including the CFP. It is concerned however with scientific research, which, if it is to maintain the requisite quality must be geared to innovation. The systematic collection of data and the application of existing methods, especially where they are repetitive, do not have the innovative character that would guarantee their eligibility under the Framework Programme for Research. They are nonetheless necessary. This proposal addresses therefore the research interfaces: upstream, with the collection of basic data, and downstream with the application of research to issues raised by the implementation of the CFP.

Appropriate financial assistance is required for the proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a Community framework for the collection of data needed to carry out the CFP, and that is the first objective of this proposal (Title I). The proposed arrangements provide for a Community financial contribution towards the expenditure incurred by the Member States under national programmes for collecting essential data where this expenditure is eligible under the relevant Community programmes. The scheduled six-year duration should establish the requisite level of stability.

In addition to the financial contribution towards the expenditure incurred by the Member States in collecting and managing the data, methodological back-up is needed. This includes assessment of the quality of the data collected, standardisation of methods and coordination between Member States. Steps also have to be taken to explore the possibilities and usefulness of extending the scope of the collection of basic data to include environmental issues, aquaculture and activities connected with fisheries and aquaculture. In addition to these studies and pilot projects linked to collecting essential data, action is needed to establish a link between scientific progress and the practical implementation of the CFP. Firstly the Commission must continue to carry out economic analyses of the impact of the CFP, especially on industrial structures in the sector. Particular attention should be devoted in this connection to integrated analyses which consider the biological and economic dimensions. Encouragement must continue to be given also through pilot projects and studies to progress on fisheries control, seeking a balance between catch capacity and fishery resources and managing the links between fishing activities and aquaculture and marine ecosystems.

This proposal does not create new expenditure but maintains the volume of expenditure incurred for several years in collecting basic data and carrying out pilot projects and studies. The objective is to prolong, broaden and reinforce schemes developed up to now on the basis of the review carried out by the Commission in 1993 , and approved by the Council, by providing them with an appropriate framework based on experience gained since then.

99/0224 (CNS)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on a financial contribution from the Community towards the expenditure incurred by the Member States in collecting data, and for financing studies and pilot projects for carrying out the common fisheries policy

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ,

Whereas:

(1) Article 16 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3760/92 of 20 December 1992 establishing a Community system for fisheries and aquaculture , as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1181/98 , provides that the situation as regards fishery resources, and its economic implications, needs to be assessed regularly;

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No ./1999 of .. 1999 establishes a Community framework for the collection and management of the fisheries data needed to conduct the common fisheries policy (CFP);

(3) By collecting this information Member States are carrying out a task which is beneficial to the Community in that it contributes to the more efficient management of the common resources; while implementation of the programmes is the responsibility of the Member States, they should therefore qualify for a contribution from the Community towards certain costs incurred in collecting and managing the data needed to carry out the CFP;

(4) The action taken by the Commission to assist the collection of this information through annual calls for proposals financed as FIFG innovative measures has reached a level of stability; this action should be consolidated, therefore, on a multiannual basis under heading 3 of the financial perspective;

(5) The methods used to collect and process the basic data on fisheries should be compared and ways should be sought of improving them; the quality of the results obtained should be examined and assessed regularly;

(6) Financial assistance should therefore be granted to explore the possibilities and usefulness of extending the scope of the Community framework for the collection and management of basic data;

(7) The pilot projects and studies needed to carry out the common fisheries policy should be eligible for support, in particular for economic and bio-economic analyses, work on eliminating and preventing overcapacity, and the relations between fisheries, aquaculture and the development of aquatic ecosystems;

(8) Steps should be taken to ensure the satisfactory outcome of the measures financed under this Decision;

(9) Rules should be laid down governing the eligibility of the expenditure, the level of the Community contribution and the terms on which it will be made available,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1. The Community may provide financial assistance for the measures referred to in this Decision under the terms and conditions laid down herein.

2. The measures for which financial assistance is provided for shall be the subject of Community multiannual indicative programming for the period 2000-05. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective.

TITLE I

Expenditure incurred under the Community framework for the collection and management of data

Article 2

1. This Title concerns data which must be collected regularly as provided for in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No ../1999 (Community framework for the collection and management of data).

2. The Community assistance shall cover eligible expenditure incurred by the Member States between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2005. Only the expenditure referred to in Annex shall be regarded as eligible.

Article 3

The contribution from the Community shall not exceed:

- 50% cost of the eligible public expenditure incurred in carrying out a minimum programme as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No ../1999 (Community framework for the collection and management of data);

- 35% of the eligible public additional expenditure incurred in carrying out an extended programme as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No ../1999 (Community framework for the collection and management of data). A financial contribution may be granted to measures connected with extended Community programmes only on condition that the Member State fully meets the requirements for the minimum Community programme and that the annual Community appropriations available under this Decision have not been exhausted by the financial contribution for the minimum programme.

Article 4

1. Member States wishing to receive a financial contribution shall present to the Commission, not later than 31 May 2000,

* a national programme as defined in Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No ../1999 (Community framework for the collection and management of data),

* their annual expenditure forecasts for the period referred to in Article 2(2) for which they wish to receive a financial contribution from the Community.

2. Each Member State shall forward to the Commission, before 31 May each year starting in 2001,

* a financial report containing a comparison of the expenditure forecast with that incurred for the previous calendar year,

* where necessary, an update of its national programme, as defined in Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No ../1999 (Community framework for the collection and management of data), for the current and subsequent years.

3. The Commission shall decide each year, on the basis of the information provided by the Member States, on:

a. the eligibility of the forecast expenditure;

b. the amount of the financial assistance from the Community.

4. Decisions by the Commission to grant financial assistance shall be treated as equivalent to the commitment of expenditure authorised by the budget.

Article 5

1. The assistance granted to a Member State in respect of each year of application of the programme shall be paid in two instalments:

a. 50% when the application has been approved;

b. the balance following the transmission to the Commission of the annual applications for the reimbursement of expenditure incurred by the Member State and following acceptance by the Commission of the financial report referred to in Article 4(2) and the technical report referred to in paragraph 2.

2. The Member States shall submit, no later than 31 May following each year of application of the programme,

- an annual report containing details of the attainment of the objectives set when the minimum and the extended programmes were drawn up.

- their applications for the reimbursement of expenditure incurred for the previous calendar year, with supporting documents.

3. When submitting applications for the reimbursement of expenditure, the Member States shall take all appropriate steps to verify and certify:

- that the measures implemented and the expenditure incurred under the Commission decision referred to in Article 4(3) correspond to the programme accepted by the Commission,

- that the expenditure complies with the conditions set out in this Decision, in particular in the Annex,

- that contracts are awarded in accordance with the legislation on public procurement.

Article 6

1. The Commission representatives may carry out on-the-spot checks, inter alia by random sampling, on the measures financed under this Decision, and study the control arrangements and measures put in place by the national authorities to prevent and penalise irregularities and, where necessary, recover funds lost as a result of an irregularity.

2. The Commission may carry out all the checks it considers necessary to ensure compliance with the conditions and the performance of the tasks imposed by this Decision on the Member States, which shall assist the representatives appointed for this purpose by the Commission.

Article 7

1. The report to be drafted by the Commission by 31 December 2002 pursuant to Article 9(2) of Regulation (EC) No ../1999 (Community framework for the collection and management of data) shall also analyse the cost/benefit ratio of the work carried out.

2. On the basis of the report the Commission shall decide whether there is any need to amend this Decision or improve its application.

TITLE II

Studies and pilot projects

Article 8

1. The Commission may carry out studies and pilot projects.

2. The spheres of activity that may be covered shall include:

a. methodological studies and projects aimed at optimising and standardising methods of collecting the data defined in Article 1 of Regulation (EC) No ../1999 (Community framework for the collection and management of data),

b. exploratory data collection projects in the areas defined in Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No ../1999 (Community framework for the collection and management of data),

c. economic and bio-economic analyses and simulations connected with decisions planned under the CFP and the evaluation of the impact of the CFP,

d. the examination of the links between catch capacity, fishing effort and mortality in each fishery,

e. improving the enforcement of the CFP, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness,

f. evaluating and controlling the links between fishing activities and aquaculture and aquatic ecosystems.

3. Pilot projects and studies may not cover measures which are:

a. eligible under the fifth Framework Programme on Research;

b. covered by Title I of this Decision,

c. covered by Articles 21 and 22 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999 laying down general provisions on the Structural Funds .

4. The Commission shall publish each year a list of the priority topics for studies and pilot projects.

5. The financial contribution from the Community for studies and pilot projects shall not exceed:

a. in the case of measures carried out following a call for proposals, 50% of the total eligible costs. Universities and public research bodies which, under the law of the country to which they are subject, are required to defray marginal costs, may submit proposals in respect of up to 100% of the marginal costs incurred in carrying out a project;

b. 100% of eligible expenditure incurred in carrying out studies and pilot projects at the Commission's initiative as a result of a procedure other than a call for proposals.

6. The financing of all studies and pilot projects carried out pursuant to paragraph 2(c) to 2(f) may not exceed [15%] of the annual appropriations authorised for the measures financed under this Decision.

Title III

General provisions

Article 9

Financing may also be provided, at the Commission's initiative, for the period referred to in Article 2(2), to cover:

1. expenditure on technical and administrative assistance for the mutual benefit of the Commission and the beneficiaries of the measure, and falling outside the realm of ongoing public service tasks connected with identifying, preparing, managing, monitoring, auditing and checking the programmes and projects referred to in Titles I and II of this Decision;

2. the costs of disseminating the results achieved via the national programmes, studies and pilot projects referred to in Titles I and II of this Decision.

Article 10

This Decision shall apply from [date of entry into force of Regulation (EC) No ../1999 (Community framework for the collection and management of data)].

Article 11

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX

Expenditure eligible under Community programmes

Without prejudice to paragraph 4 of this Annex, eligible expenditure shall consist only of expenditure actually borne by the beneficiary and the participants between the date of commencement of the project and its date of completion, and required for carrying out the work. Eligible expenditure may include all or some of the following:

- staff costs

- travelling expenses

- durable goods

- consumable materials and supplies

- computer costs

- other expenditure provided for in paragraph 6 of this Annex.

1. Staff costs

1.1 Expenditure on staff for the time actually devoted to the project by scientific or technical staff only.

1.2 Staff costs shall be apportioned in relation to the working time actually devoted to the project and shall be calculated by reference to:

* actual labour costs (wages, social costs, social security and pension contributions), or

* average labour costs, in line with the practice of the beneficiary or the participant concerned, if this average does not diverge significantly from actual labour costs.

1.3 Time devoted by staff to the programme and apportioned must appear in full in the records (time sheets) and be certified at least once each month by the person responsible for the programme or any other competent member of the managerial staff working on the programme.

2. Travelling expenses

2.1 Travelling expenses shall be apportioned in accordance with the internal rules of the beneficiaries or participants; however, for journeys outside the European Union, the prior agreement of the Commission shall be required.

3. Durable goods

3.1 Expenditure on durable goods shall relate to purchase or production after the date of actual commencement of the programme or within the preceding six months and:

- which have an expected life not shorter than the duration of the work under the programme;

- which are included in the inventory of durable goods of the coordinator or participant concerned, or

- which are regarded as assets in accordance with the accounting methods, rules and principles of the beneficiary or participant concerned.

3.2 For the purpose of calculating the eligible expenditure, durable goods will be considered to have a probable life of 36 months in the case of computer equipment of a value not exceeding EUR 10 000, and 60 months in the case of other goods. The eligible amount will depend on the expected life of the goods in relation to the duration of the programme, on condition that the period used to calculate this amount starts on the actual date of commencement of the programme, or the date of purchase of the goods where this occurs after the date of commencement, and ends on the date of completion of the programme. Account should be taken also of the use made of the goods during that period.

3.3 For each purchase of durable goods, a certified copy of the invoice must be attached to the statement of income and expenditure, and forwarded to the Commission.

4. Consumable products and materials

4.1 Expenditure on consumable raw materials for the purchase, production, repair or use of any goods or equipment which:

- have a probable life shorter than the duration of the work under the programme, and

- are not included in the inventory of durable goods of the beneficiary or participant concerned, or

- are not regarded as assets in accordance with the accounting principles, rules and methods of the coordinator or participant concerned.

5. Computer costs

5.1 Expenditure on the establishment and supply to Member States of software for the management and interrogation of databases.

6. Outside assistance/Subcontracting and/or other expenditure

6.1 Subcontracting/outside assistance (standard and non-innovative services, provided for beneficiaries or partners who are unable to provide them themselves) or any other additional or unforeseen expenditure not falling within one of the above categories may be charged to the programme only with the prior agreement of the Commission.

6.2 Countries outside the European Union may, if their contribution is necessary or desirable for carrying out Community programmes, participate as subcontractors in a national programme with the written approval of the Commission.

7. Unauthorised expenditure

7.1 The expenditure listed below is not regarded as eligible and may not be charged directly or indirectly to the Commission:

- profit margins

- expenditure on luxuries

- distribution, marketing and advertising costs of promoting products and commercial activities

- provisions

- interest or income on capital investments

- bad debts

- entertainment expenses, other than those regarded by the Commission as strictly necessary for carrying out the work under the project

- all expenditure on other projects financed by a third party

- all expenditure on protecting the results of the work carried out under the project

- indirect costs such as: administration, support staff, office supplies, infrastructure, goods and services

- VAT and other recoverable types of levy, charge or duty, reimbursed or offset, in one way or other.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

1. TITLE OF OPERATION

Financial contribution from the Community towards the expenditure incurred by the Member States in regularly collecting basic data; the financing of studies and pilot projects for carrying out the common fisheries policy

2. BUDGET HEADING INVOLVED

B2-903 Other support measures for the CFP

(Measure A : Support for the management of resources)

(PDB 2000 nomenclature)

3. LEGAL BASIS

* Proposal for a Council Regulation establishing a Community framework for the collection and management of the fisheries data needed to conduct the common fisheries policy (COM ... of ...)

* Proposal for a Council Decision on a financial contribution from the Community towards the expenditure incurred by the Member States in regularly collecting basic data and for financing studies and pilot projects for carrying out the common fisheries policy (COM ... of ...)

4. DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

4.1 General objective

1. The regular collection of basic data by the Member States

The action taken by the Commission to collect the data needed for carrying out the common fisheries policy through annual calls for proposals financed as FIFG innovative measures (B2-181) until 1999 has reached a level of stability. This action should therefore be consolidated on a multiannual basis within a regulatory framework involving the Member States.

Fisheries management needs scientific advice on its biological, economic and technical aspects. The scientific community has stressed that the lack of appropriate data is one of the main factors limiting this. This is not a problem for the common fisheries policy alone, however. The need to find appropriate remedies is highlighted in a series of reference documents from international forums on fisheries, in particular the New York Agreement on straddling stocks.

The problems cannot be resolved at Member State level alone. Where Member States share the same stock, the efforts made by one to collect relevant data will be useless if the other Member States do not do likewise. Steps must therefore be taken at Community level and must result in the establishment of multiannual datasets, collected using standardised procedures that remain the same from one year to the next. The data must cover all the parameters needed for scientific evaluations, and be accessible by computer to the appropriate authorised users.

Useful arrangements are currently in place that should be maintained, but they are not comprehensive and so need to be supplemented. The existing arrangements provide in the main for very detailed data - often at individual level - and also aggregate data for Member States. Scientific evaluations primarily require aggregate data at a level pitched between these two; the data might, for example, relate to catches for a particular category of vessel in part of the North Sea over a three-month period. Furthermore, some spheres of activity are not covered and standardised procedures for data collection are only in place for some fisheries and for some spheres of activity. These shortcoming are also reflected in the way computerised databases accessible to the scientific community are organised.

2. Studies and pilot projects carried out by the Commission

i) Biological data

If the CFP is to be applied and allowed to develop, the regular and systematic collection of basic data must be supplemented by specific work to acquire the knowledge needed to inform future decisions (such as technical measures and the extension of boxes, or the use of square mesh panels) or facilitate their implementation (e.g. conversion of driftnet fleets). Such studies might also be used to prepare future programmes for the regular collection of data in areas where the time is not yet ripe for routine programmes to be set up (e.g. relationship between fisheries and the environment; monitoring of activities indirectly connected with fisheries, improving enforcement, etc.).

Although such work is application of research rather than actual research, it is invariably highly technical.

Moreover, related activities are needed (development of communication tools, organisation of meetings required for purposes of the CFP involving scientists).

ii) Economic data

The direction the common fisheries policy will take in the future must also be based on a more detailed analysis of economic trends in the sector. Three priority areas can be singled out for studies under this heading:

- in preparation for the 2002 report on the future of the CFP, studies on the economic impact of the CFP (outside the field of structural policy, which will be evaluated as part of the FIFG budget procedure);

- studies on fisheries economics, in order better to identify the management systems used in the sector, particularly as regards access, conservation of resources and equilibrium in the industry;

- statistical studies to help prepare new legislation to further harmonise the collection of statistical economic data.

4.2 Period covered and arrangements for renewal or extension

The basic data collection measures to be part-financed are the subject of Community multiannual indicative programming for the period 2000-2005. The Commission will propose the arrangements for extending the measure at the appropriate time.

The period for studies and pilot projects for carrying out the CFP is unlimited.

5. CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE

5.1 Non-compulsory expenditure

5.2 Differentiated appropriations

5.3 Type of revenue involved: none

6. TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE

Data collection and processing carried out by the Member States:

* The contribution from the Community may not exceed:

* 50% of the total cost of the eligible expenditure incurred in carrying out a minimum programme;

* 35% of the total cost of the additional eligible expenditure incurred in carrying out an extended programme, within the limits of the annual funds available under the budget following adoption of the annual minimum programmes.

Studies and pilot projects carried out by the Commission:

* biological, technical and economic studies to be outsourced.

* organisation of workshops for coordinating or harmonising methods, including aspects relating to the continuous training of scientists.

To select external experts or agencies, the Commission's departments will publish specific calls for tenders, organise calls for an expression of interest or, where applicable, conclude direct agreements, as the case may be.

The maximum Community contribution in the case of calls for proposals is 50%, and up to 100% in exceptional cases where marginal costs must be defrayed, or where there is part-financing from beneficiary experts or agencies.

In the case of calls for tenders, the Community will provide 100% financing for pilot projects and studies carried out at the Commission's initiative.

7. FINANCIAL IMPACT

7.1 Method of calculating total cost of operation (link between unit costs and total cost)

The amounts below are indicative and can vary depending on the priorities in implementing the CFP. The increase in the real cost of implementing programmes is reflected by an increase in the appropriations of about 4.5% every two years.

CA in EUR million (to the 3rd decimal point)

>TABLE>

7.2 Itemised breakdown of cost

Calculation of average cost per measure:

CA in EUR million (to the 3rd decimal point)

>TABLE>

7.3 Operational costs of studies, experts, etc. included in part B of the budget (for the period 2000-05)

CA in EUR million (current prices)

>TABLE>

Expenditure on technical and administrative assistance:

Meetings of experts

The Commission will organise ad hoc meetings with the chief parties involved in the implementation of the measures below.

Publication/dissemination

The results of studies financed under calls for proposals are of interest to the scientific community and the general public. It is therefore planned to publish, inter alia, a synopsis containing summaries for non-specialists, which are included in the final reports of the studies, as well as atlases and/or brochures showing the distribution and situation of resources in European waters.

Follow-up by experts

Some of the studies financed, particularly projects relating to fisheries technology, tuna fisheries, the implementation of research at sea, advanced methods for the evaluation of stocks and the economic impact of the CFP on the sector, result in reports which can only be assessed by persons possessing a high degree of technical and scientific expertise. In such cases, the Commission must call on outside experts to ensure that each such document is adequately assessed.

Experts involved in implementing Community programmes

The technical assistance to be provided by such experts involves identifying subjects to be given priority and preparing, managing and monitoring the Community programmes.

Experts involved in assessing proposals

Following the publication of calls for proposals, outside experts are selected from existing data bases, taking care to ensure adequate geographical and technical coverage. Each proposal is individually assessed by at least three independent experts, who then deliver an evaluation of projects by consensus.

7.4 Schedule of commitment appropriations/payment appropriations

CA in EUR million

>TABLE>

8. FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES

Commission officials may carry out on-the-spot checks, inter alia by random sampling, on the measures financed under this budget heading, and study the control arrangements and measures put in place by the national authorities, in particular to verify obligations regarding the means used, prevent and penalise irregularities and, where necessary, recover funds lost as a result of an irregularity.

Beneficiaries of financial assistance must provide proof (copies of contracts) together with their financial report on expenditure when they apply for interim or final payments.

The Member States must also ensure that the rules on public contracts are complied with.

9. ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS

9.1 Specific and quantified objectives; target population

- Specific objectives: links with general objective: the specific objectives for the collection of basic data will be laid down in the implementing regulation(s) for the Council regulation establishing a Community framework for the collection and management of the fisheries data needed to conduct the common fisheries policy.

- Target population: For the collection of basic data: the Member States. For the studies and pilot projects for carrying out the CFP: the final beneficiary is the fisheries industry in general

9.2 Grounds for the operation

- The need for Community budgetary support, with regard, in particular, to the principle of subsidiarity

The problems cannot be resolved at Member State level alone. Where Member States share the same stock, the efforts made by one to collect relevant data will be useless if the other Member States do not do likewise. Steps must therefore be taken at Community level and must result in the establishment of multiannual datasets, collected using standardised procedures that remain the same from one year to the next.

- Choice of ways and means

* advantages over possible alternatives (comparative advantages):

see point 4.1.1

* explanatory reference to similar Community or national operations

No similar Community operation exists. Operations relating to the collection of data in some fields exist in some Member States. The framework proposed here is designed to coordinate, systematise and supplement the existing operations.

* spin-off and multiplier effects expected:

Since the Community's financial contributions are generally partial, the additional funds needed ensure a direct multiplier effect. More importantly, marginal costs are accepted as eligible expenditure, while ineligible expenditure, such as the depreciation of research vessels, must be borne by the Member States and research institutes. The proposed arrangements therefore mobilise resources for themes defined by the Commission the overall cost of which is far greater than the proposed Community expenditure.

Moreover, setting up a common framework for the collection of data will have a considerable unifying effect, as has been demonstrated in the case of the framework for biological data set up in the ICES area. The proposed arrangement will broaden this framework and produce a similar unifying effect in other areas (Mediterranean, economy, etc.).

- Main factors of uncertainty which could affect the specific results of the operation

The greatest uncertainty concerns the danger that not all the Member States might be able, initially at least, to organise themselves sufficiently and provide the national funds to match the Community's contributions.

9.3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation

- Monitoring arrangements

The Member States will submit an annual report for each year of application of the programme, containing details of the attainment of the objectives set when the Community programmes were drawn up. Studies and pilot projects must produce an interim and/or final report.

The Commission may carry out all the checks it considers necessary to ensure compliance with the conditions and the performance of the tasks by the Member States, which must assist the officials appointed for this purpose by the Commission.

- Details and frequency of planned evaluations

On the basis of information supplied by the Member States, the Commission is to present to the Council a three-yearly report evaluating the measures taken by each Member State to collect and make available the aggregate data provided for under this Regulation, the conformity and effectiveness of the methods used and the results achieved.

- Performance indicators:

* output indicators (measuring activities used)

* impact indicators (measuring performance against objectives):

- The specific objectives for the collection of basic data will be laid down in the implementing regulation(s) for the Council regulation establishing a Community framework for the collection and management of the fisheries data needed to conduct the common fisheries policy. The Member States will have to demonstrate that they have fulfilled the obligations regarding the means used, which the implementing regulations will specify. The STECF will assess the quality of the data collection results achieved. Each study will also be specifically assessed as to its quality and usefulness.

10. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE (PART A OF SECTION III OF THE BUDGET)

This section of the financial statement must be sent to DGs IX and XIX; DG IX will then forward it to DG XIX with its opinion.

Actual mobilisation of the necessary administrative resources will depend on the Commission's annual decision on the allocation of resources, taking into account the number of staff and additional amounts authorised by the budgetary authority.

10.1 Impact on staff numbers

>TABLE>

10.2 Aggregate cost of additional staffing requirements

(EUR)

>TABLE>

Since the operation is of unspecified duration, the amounts correspond to total expenditure for 12 months.

10.3 Increase in other operational expenditure arising from the operation, particularly costs incurred through meetings of committees and groups of experts

(EUR)

>TABLE>

Since the operation is of unspecified duration, the amounts correspond to total expenditure for 12 months.