Background information

The war in Ukraine has increased economic and political uncertainty, and has led to higher commodity prices. The substantial increase in electricity and gas prices may jeopardise the coverage of companies' liquidity needs and put pressure on the cost and price structure of the economy.

Against this background, the Spanish government has decided to promote the "National Response Plan to the economic and social consequences of the war in Ukraine" (Royal Decree-Law 6/2022 of 19 July). The basic objectives of the measures that make up this Plan are to lower energy prices, support the most affected sectors and the most vulnerable groups, and reinforce price stability. The aim is to limit the economic and social costs of this temporary distortion in gas prices and to facilitate the adaptation of the Spanish economy. This support is additional to other existing support measures within Royal Decree-Law 6/2022 (also described in this database), such as:

• Public aids for the agricultural sector, read more on the EU PolicyWatch Data Base
• 20 cent reduction per liter of fuel refuelled, read more on the EU PolicyWatch Data Base
• Public aids for the transport sector granted after strike action by employers, read more on the EU PolicyWatch Data Base

Content of measure

Within Royal Decree-Law 6/2022 ("National response plan to the economic and social consequences of the war in Ukraine"), an aid package for the fisheries sector is included. This aid corresponds to the compensation to operators in the fisheries sector for additional costs, in accordance with Article 26(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021, establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.

Specifically, the fisheries sector will receive €30 million, made up of an initial allocation of €21 million (70% funding from the European Commission), to be increased to €30 million (30% from the Member State: Spain). Similarly, the aquaculture sector will receive €20 million, comprising an initial allocation of €14 million (70% funding from the European Commission) to be increased to €20 million (30% from Spain). In both cases, funds come from an appropriation (credit), to be drawn from extraordinary revenue from the FIFG (Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance).

In addition, direct state aid for vessels and fishing vessel owners to compensate for the increase in fuel prices will amount to €18.18 million, ranging from €1,550.52 per vessel (with a gross tonnage of less than 25) to a maximum of €35,000 (for vessels of 2,500 gross tonnage or more).

Use of measure

There are no estimated number of users. All Spanish companies and self-employed in the fisheries sector can benefit from this measure.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Self-employed	Sector specific set of companies	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government EU (Council, EC, EP)	European Funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal	Any other form of consultation, institutionalised (as stable working groups or committees) or informal

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

As stated in the background section, this measure is part of the "National Response Plan to the economic and social consequences of the war in Ukraine", and the involvement of social partners is explained for this plan as a whole.

With the aim of reaching a consensus with all interest groups on the "National Response Plan to the economic and social consequences of the war in Ukraine" (Royal Decree-Law 6/2022 of 19 July), the Government, prior to its approval, held a round of contacts with parliamentary groups, social agents, and the autonomous communities (regional governments). On 21 March 2022, the meeting of the "Social Dialogue Table" was held, following on from the meeting held on 7 March with the President of the Government. The representatives of workers and employers had the opportunity to share their proposals for dealing with the economic impact of the war. On the employers' side, the president of the CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, and the president of CEPYME, Gerardo Cuevas, attended; and on the workers' side, the secretary general of UGT, Pepe Álvarez, and the secretary general of CCOO, Unai Sordo.

Views and reactions

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, met on 23 March 2022 with representatives of the fisheries and aquaculture sector (Spanish Fisheries Confederation - Cepesca, the National Federation of Fishermen's Guilds, and the Spanish Aquaculture Business Association - Apromar), to address the consequences of the war. This meeting took place before the approval of Royal Decree-Law 6/2022. The representatives of the companies were concerned about a significant increase in production costs, which put the profitability of production at risk. They therefore urged the government to act as soon as possible to take measures. The approval of Royal Decree-Law 6/2022, which was well accepted by companies and trade unions, has helped to appease the complaints of the social agents in the sector, who were calling for aid to deal with sharp price rises.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 23 March 2022: La Moncloa. Presidency of the Government. Press Note. (www.lamoncloa.gob.es)
• 29 March 2022: La Moncloa. Presidency of the Government. Agreements and regulations approved by the Council of Ministers (www.lamoncloa.gob.es)
• 30 March 2022: BOE, Spanish State Official Gazette (Real Decreto-ley 6/2022, de 29 de marzo, por el que se adoptan medidas urgentes en el marco del Plan Nacional de respuesta a las consecuencias económicas y sociales de la guerra en Ucrania) (www.boe.es)