Notice published in Govt Gazette no 20,510 of 30th October 2020

ANNOUNCEMENT – 31st October, 2020Business Enhance ERDF Grant SchemesOpen Rolling Calls – Cut-off dates

The Measures and Support Division within the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs notifies further cut-off dates as of 31st October, 2020 for the submission of applications under Call 3 SME Growth Grant Scheme.

Further information may be obtained from (https://businessenhance.gov.mt) or by contacting the Measures and Support Division on (msd.mfea@gov.mt) or 2295 7110. One may also register to participate in online information sessions through the Business Enhance website.

'Fostering a competitive and sustainable economy to meet our challenges'

Advert part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund

Co-financing rate: Public Eligible (80% European Union; 20% National Funds)

ARMED FORCES OF Malta

Amendment Pembroke Ranges – Monday, 2nd November, 2020

No live fire will take place on Monday, 2nd November, 2020.

Compensation Scheme for the Temporary Cessation of Fishing Activities

Swordfish fishery is subject to a closed fishing season in accordance with ICCAT recommendation 16-05 establishing a multi-annual recovery plan for Mediterranean swordfish. In the framework of ICCAT such a closed fishing season constitutes a technical conservation measure in line with Article 7 of Regulation (EU) 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy.

With the aim of further enhancing the recovery of the swordfish stock by the Maltese fishing fleet, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights is extending the closed season period by one month during the month of December as an additional conservation measure, over and above the obligatory closure period referred to in Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1154 on a multi-annual recovery plan for Mediterranean swordfish and amending Regulations (EC) No. 1967/2006 and (EU) 2017/2107.

1. Definitions

In this scheme, unless the context requires otherwise:

“Director" means the Director responsible for Fisheries;

“Minister" means the Minister responsible for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights.

“Owner" means the natural or legal person under whom a fishing vessel is registered.

“Single undertaking" includes all enterprises having at least one of the following relationships with each other:

(a) one enterprise has a majority of the shareholders' or members' voting rights in another enterprise;

(b) one enterprise has the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of another enterprise;

(c) one enterprise has the right to exercise a dominant influence over another enterprise pursuant to a contract entered into with that enterprise or to a provision in its memorandum or articles of association;

(d) one enterprise, which is a shareholder in or member of another enterprise, controls alone, pursuant to an agreement with other shareholders in or members of that enterprise, a majority of shareholders' or members' voting rights in that enterprise.

Enterprises having any of the relationships referred to in points (a) to (d) of the first subparagraph through one or more other enterprises shall also be considered to be a single undertaking.

2. Scope

The planned implementation of Article 33.1(a) of Regulation (EU) 508/2014 envisages a closure of fishing activities for swordfish for the period 1st December - 31st December which is being considered as an additional measure to the closed swordfish season agreed by ICCAT (i.e. Recommendation 16-05 of 2016 which closure for the period is January-March of each year).

The financial assistance to be provided through temporary cessation is aimed at owners of fishing vessels operating in the swordfish fishery, envisaging also a decrease in the general fishing effort on other fish stocks.

3. Who is eligible for such assistance

To be eligible for assistance the following conditions should be fulfilled:

1. Owners of fishing vessels which are registered as active in the swordfish fishery and whose licenced fishing vessel will not carry out any fishing activities during December;

2. As established in article 33.4 of the EMFF Regulation, all fishing activities carried out by the fishing vessel shall be effectively suspended. The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture shall satisfy itself that the fishing vessel concerned has stopped any fishing activities during the period concerned by the temporary cessation;

3. Owners of fishing vessels registered as active and which have been out at sea for 120 days during the last two years preceding application;

4. Owners of fishing vessels demonstrating that during each of the two years preceding application for support, the vessel registered the minimum landing required by the local Subsidiary Legislation 425.07;

5. Owners and Fishermen who are in compliance with Common Fisheries Policy rules and who have not committed serious infringements and/or fraud in the context of EFF and EMFF as defined in Article 10 of Regulation (EU) No. 508/2014;

6. Owners of fishing vessels (MFA & MFB) should demonstrate that during each of the two years preceding application for support, the vessel registered equal to or more than the value of swordfish landings shown below in accordance with the following established vessel lengths:

7. Fishing vessels concerned should have registered a positive net profit in each of the two years preceding the application of support.

Applicants must present an Application Form filled in with relevant details and auxiliary documentation prior to defined deadlines.

4. How a person acquires the right for this assistance

1.  This assistance  is  awarded  through  an application  which  must be  submitted  on  the application form provided by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. This application form will be sent by post to fishermen who might be eligible for the scheme and they may also be obtained from the Fishers' Cooperatives. The application form should reach the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture between the 1stand 20th November, 2020. Late application forms shall not be considered.

2. Any application made should include the following documentation:

(a) Registration with Jobsplus as a fisherman;

(b) Income Tax Return and Profit and Loss account for 2019, Year of Assessment 2020;

(c) A copy of the Authorisation for the fishing of swordfish 2020.

3. A claim for such assistance is subject to the following provisions:

(a) The application will not be considered valid unless all the required documents are attached to it; and

(b) The applicant has a valid VAT number; and

(c) the right for such assistance shall only accrue from the date such an application has been officially received by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture;

(d) In the case of co-owners only 1 application per vessel will be accepted (with the consent of all the owners)

4. The Director shall, from time to time, request any other document that may be required so that the claim may be processed, revised or renewed and may make use of any documentation present at the Department or request information from other Departments.

5. When the right for such assistance is lost

When a person qualifies for this assistance, the right for such assistance is automatically lost when the vessel is no longer anchored in port and is used in other activities at sea.

6. What does such assistance consist of

This assistance falls under the provisions in line with Article 33 of Regulation (EU) 508/2014 of 15th May, 2014, on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. Any other applicable legal provisions governing the sector and state aid will apply.

The vessel owners shall be the final beneficiaries of operations related to such support. Compensation shall be calculated based on the economic loss resulting from the temporary cessation. Income obtained less costs in year N-1 (N being the year of call for applications) shall be used as a reference, based on the latest official data recorded by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture including data collected through the Automatic weighing and labelling machines (AWLs).

The formula for the calculation of compensation/premium to be granted under Article 33 for vessel owners shall be as follows:

L(t) = P x D x R

Where

L(t) = The premium for the temporary suspension of fishing activities

P = daily loss in landings volume

D = days of Suspension (i.e. maximum of 20 days)

R = rate per kilo established on landings income less costs

Support for temporary cessation of fishing activities shall not exceed the six-month maximum duration for each vessel from 2014 to 2020 in line with Article 33.2 of the EMFF Regulation.

7. How shall it be paid

1. This assistance shall be paid by direct credit transaction from the Central Bank of Malta.

8. Whenever false information is given or failure to conform to the provisions of the scheme

In case of providing information that results to be false or in the case of a change in circumstances that the Director has not been made aware of, the applicant will be liable to necessary legal action.

9. Duration of the Scheme

The date when this scheme reopens shall be the date of publication and will terminate on the end of 2021 or until EMFF funds are exhausted. The Managing Authority reserves the right to increase the budget available if deemed necessary and thus extending the scheme for the period 2021-2023. Annual claims by interested parties need to be submitted as per point 4.

10. Amendments to the Scheme

The Minister shall make the necessary amendments to this scheme by publishing the said amendments in the Government Gazette.

Project part-financed by the European Union European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF)

Co-financing rate: 50% European Union funds; 50% National funds

Investing in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture

Comapritive return Gaz 30.10.pdf

CO-OPERATIVES BOARD

(Co-operative Societies Act No. XXX of 2001)

Notice of Order of Cancellation of Registration

Order No. 8

It is hereby notified that the Co-operatives Board has ordered the cancellation of the registration of 'University Co-operative Bookshop Society Limited' in accordance with the Provisions of Article 105 (1) of Act No. XXX of 2001.

Mr Paul Debono

Chairman

Co-operatives Board

(Co-operative Societies Act No. XXX of 2001)

Notice of Amendment of Rule in Statute

Order No. 9

It is hereby notified that rule number 2 of the Statute of 'Urban Lab Cooperative Ltd' has been amended. The Co-operatives Board has duly registered this amendment on the 19th October 2020, in accordance with article 37(2) of Act No. XXX of 2001.

Mr Paul Debono

Chairman

Co-operatives Board

Suspension of Parking

The San Pawl il-Baħar Local Council notifies that no parking will be allowed from 7.00 a.m. sal-5.30 p.m. on the following days and streets: on Wednesday, 4th November, 2020, through Triq Plajjet Bognor; on Thursday, 5th November, 2020, through Triq Sant'Aristarku; and on Friday, 6th November, 2020, through Triq il-Korp tal-Pijunieri and Triq il-Mosta.

Vehicles found in contravention to the order of this notice are liable to be towed.