9. WHAT TO INCLUDE IN A SUBSIDY DESCRIPTION

So far in this Guide, we have been concerned mainly with the classification of fisheries subsidies and assessments of their costs and values. These analyses of course have to be based on knowledge about the subsidies, including both quantitative and qualitative information. In a report on fisheries subsidies, it would be advisable to organize this information in a standardized format. By recording detailed descriptions of the various subsidies, the information is readily available and can be used as an input into further analyses or for reporting to, for example, the WTO^[17]. Accordingly, a format for how to describe fisheries subsidies is proposed in Table 2 below. It is suggested that each subsidy is described separately according to this checklist.

Table 2: Description of fisheries subsidies - a checklist

NAME OF THE SUBSIDY

FORM OF SUBSIDY AND SHORT DESCRIPTION OF ITS FUNCTION

CLASSIFICATION: CATEGORY 1, 2, 3 or 4

(see chapter 5 of the Guide)

HOW IS THE PROFITABILITY OF THE INDUSTRY AFFECTED BY THE SUBSIDY

(revenue-enhancing/cost-reducing etc: see chapter 7 of the Guide)

PERIOD OF IMPLEMENTATION

(date of introduction [month/year] to end-date [month/year] - or on-going)

POLICY OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE OF THE SUBSIDY

(short description of why the subsidy has been introduced and what its economic/social/development/environmental objective is)

RESPONSIBLE MINISTRY/DEPARTMENT/AUTHORITY/ORGANIZATION AND LEGISLATION UNDER WHICH THE SUBSIDY IS GRANTED, IF APPLICABLE

FUNDING OF THE SUBSIDY

(fully government funded or with contributions from the industry)

COVERAGE AND TARGET RECIPIENTS

(to whom is the subsidy provided)

APPLIES TO WHICH (SUB)SECTORS
APPLIES TO WHICH GEOGRAPHICAL REGIONS
WHO ARE THE RECIPIENTS
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR RECEIVING THE SUBSIDY

DESCRIPTION OF THE MECHANISM BY WHICH THE SUBSIDY IMPLEMENTED

(process through which the benefits/disadvantages are transferred or created, process through which the recipients learn about/apply for/receive the subsidy, etc.)

REVIEW OF ANY SIDE EFFECTS OR EXTERNALITIES CAUSED BY THE SUBSIDY

(specify indirect beneficiaries or who it affects and how)

ASSESSMENT OF THE SUBSIDY

GOVERNMENT COST (REVENUE) OF THE SUBSIDY
INDUSTRY VALUE OF THE SUBSIDY

(specify the year or period of the assessment and give details of the calculations)

ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

(e.g. ratios, statistical data for assessing the subsidy in a particular context such, for example, trade, etc.)

^[17] The format for subsidies description suggested by the Guide is partly based on the information to be provided in WTO’s questionnaire for subsidy notifications. However, the statistical data required in the questionnaire needed for the assessment of the trade effects of the subsidy are not explicitly covered here.