Brussels, 01/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 30 November, the fisheries committee of the European Parliament examined a working document by Guido Milana (S&D, Italy) setting out 10 concrete proposals to give fresh impetus to the development of aquaculture. The document above all recommends systematic control of imports and the creation of a fund specifically for the sector which, in the EU, is made up of over 16,500 companies with a total annual turnover of over €3.5 billion. It estimates that fish farming can be an alternative solution to the catching of fish, fishing being in a uncertain situation due to diminishing fish stocks. Hence the importance of ensuring fishermen wishing to work in the aquaculture sector are well trained.
European aquaculture accounts for only 2% of the sector's global production, while annual consumption in Europe is above 5 million tonnes. Two thirds of demand is therefore covered by products imported from third countries.
In his working document, Guido Milana sets out concrete proposals on the following points: - Legislative framework: The Parliament calls for a legislative proposal in the form of a regulation introducing a harmonised, pared-down structure for the EU aquaculture sector, governed by general rules on key aspects that are common to the various product categories (the environment, the supply chain, feedstuffs, traceability, labelling, fish health and respect for feeding habits). - Special aquaculture fund: A request will be made for a special European aquaculture fund (EAF) or a specific budget heading for aquaculture development within the European Fisheries Fund (EFF). Funds made available would be used to: - support investment in the industry, particularly for SMEs; - create technologically innovative plants; - set up farms that respect fish health; - establish forms of sustainable aquaculture; - and ensure training. For now, there is no definition of the profession of aquaculture. It is suggested that a specific profession be created, coming under a training policy adjusted to the needs of the sector and eligible for financial assistance from EU structural funds. - Development plans: Member states are called upon to: - apply their countries' existing environmental and tourism protection legislation to this sector; - adopt, in respect of remaining zones not subject to restrictions, the necessary development plans for the management of marine and coastal areas so that fish farms can be set up. Such “maritime development plans” should provide for different types of aquaculture, including sub-coastal and offshore operations. - Administrative simplification: Member states should make a commitment to reduce existing bureaucratic obstacles and introduce transparent procedures for obtaining the requisite permits and concessions to start an aquaculture operation, possibly by setting up one-stop shops that centralise the necessary administrative formalities in a single location. - Quality policy: According to Guido Milana, it will be essential to create an EU quality label for aquaculture products, along with a specific organic aquaculture label imposing strict rules in accordance with EU principles for organic production. - Animal welfare: The requested regulation should also lay down specific criteria relating to the welfare of farmed fish - such as maximum farm density and the quantities of vegetable and animal protein to be used in fish farming - and promote more human slaughter techniques. - Research: Research should focus on techniques for the management and farming of native species and species traditionally farmed in the EU, with an emphasis on reproduction, growth and feedstuffs. Progress has been made in fish feedstuffs of vegetable origin, and the amount of fish flour and oil-based feed has fallen from 70% to 50%. - Systematic import controls: The Commission and member states are invited to make every effort - both within the WTO and in application of common legislation - to ensure that aquaculture products, feedstuffs and raw materials for feedstuffs imported from non-EU countries undergo systematic quality controls and have to comply fully with European environmental, hygiene and public health legislation in order to enter the EU market, the document reads. - Fish-eating birds: The EP plans to reiterate its request to the Commission that it rapidly submit a European cormorant management plan (to reduce the damage cause to fish stocks and aquaculture by cormorants). The Guido Milana report will be voted in parliamentary committee in mid-March 2010 and the plenary vote will take place in April.
The Commission representative expressed doubt about the possibility of creating a special budget and legislative framework for aquaculture. On the subject of the EP's request that imported products be in line with Community environmental standards, the Commission pointed out that, according to current WTO rules, it is impossible to set such a requirement. The creation of a label for organic fish farming is an initiative that “we find interesting”, the Commission representative said. (L.C./transl.jl)