Brussels, 26/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission announced on Wednesday 25 November that new funds would shortly be made available to promote wild and farmed fish.
In addition to provisions under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for promotional measures, new funding is being released to producer organisations, trade organisations and public bodies to sponsor their products and disseminate information abroad on the goodness of European fisheries products, both wild and farmed. Campaigns will need to include at least one other European food product, and products will feature the label: “Enjoy, it's from Europe”.
Operators wishing to find new markets for their fish can now apply for extra funding. A total of €110 million has been made available by the European Commission and will go to promote the global consumption of made-in-the-EU fishery and aquaculture products in 2016. The figure is expected to keep increasing until almost double by 2019. In exchange for funding that will help them increase their market shares overseas, producers will inform foreign consumers of the high standards and broad diversity of EU fisheries and aquaculture products.
This aid complements what is available for promotional campaigns through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund. There is, however, a difference: in this case, seafood products are eligible only if they are being promoted in conjunction with another agricultural or food item produced in the EU. The Commission will co-finance up to 70%-80% of the operators' campaigns, with no need for national co-financing. The first call for proposals will be launched in the first quarter of 2016. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)