Answer given by Mr Gentiloni on behalf of the European Commission
20.2.2023
With a total budget for 2021-2027 of EUR 6.108 billion, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) supports innovative projects that contribute to the sustainable exploitation and management of aquatic and maritime resources, including the transition to sustainable and low-carbon fishing.
For example, the Fund can support investment in low-impact fishing gear and in energy efficient propulsion for fishing vessels.
In its proposal for the recast of the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD)[1], the Commission proposed to abolish the mandatory tax exemption that currently applies to energy products supplied for use as fuel to vessels for the purposes of intra-EU waterborne navigation and fishing.
The proposal also includes a harmonised minimum tax rate of 0.9 Euro/Gigajoule (equivalent to 3.24 eurocent per litre) for gas oil used in intra-EU maritime transport and fishing. The proposed tax rate would be the same as the one already applicable to agriculture under the current ETD.
Member States can decide to tax also extra-EU waterborne navigation on the same terms.
The proposals also provides that Member States shall exempt electricity produced on board and may exempt electricity used directly for charging electric vessels.
The value-added tax (VAT) Directive[2] contains a specific provision, which — inter alia — provides for an exemption from VAT applying to the supply of goods for the fuelling and provisioning of vessels used for certain fishing activities[3].
- [1] Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE restructuring the Union framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity (recast) COM/2021/563 final.
- [2] Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax, OJ L 347, 11.12.2006.
- [3] Article 148(a) of the VAT Directive 2006/112/EC.