Brussels, 14/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - At a seminar organised in Brussels on Thursday 10 December by the ALDE Group in the European Parliament, several MEPs and bodies called for a European eco-label to be created for fisheries products.
The labelling of fisheries products put on the EU market is governed by two regulations: the first concerns all food products and sets out minimum requirements, such as the indication of “defrosted product” or the list of allergenic ingredients, and the second is the result of the reform of the common fisheries policy (CFP), and requires operators to display the precise scientific names of the fish, the production method, the fishing gear used, the flag of the vessel, and the dates of catch, landing and consumption. However, smoked, dried or salted fish products are not covered, nor are processed products such as surimi, which are mostly imported products.
MEP Izaskun Bilbao Barandica (ALDE, Spain) stated: “Our small-scale fisheries, which are often major economic drivers in certain coastal areas, strive to comply with rules that ensure the sustainability of their activities. A European label policy in the fisheries sector would be a key factor in boosting the economic development of coastal communities and recognising the special care provided by our fishermen in the quality of the products supplied to consumers”.
The Commission representative made clear that, before a proposal on an eco-label for fisheries products is brought forward, two pilot projects are underway, one on commercial designation (Ed: there are over 2,000 in Spain), the other addressing claims displayed on labels (“low in fat”, “rich in omega 3”, etc.). He also revealed that a recent survey had found labelling irregularities in 6% of a sample of 4,500 white fish products (see EUROPE 11446).
Hans Nieuwenhuis of the Marine Stewardship Council detailed the key elements for an eco-labelling system, pointing out that this should ensure transparency, independence and credibility of the certification process. Lasse Gustavsson, director of Oceana in Europe, presented the results of a study conducted in a number of restaurants in Brussels and in the European institutions, which shows that there is a huge level of unlabelled or mislabelled products (see EUROPE 11423).
Antonio Marinho e Pinto (ALDE, Portugal) said he could not understand why, after scandal when horse meat was passed off as beef, substituting pangasius for cod does not seem to upset anyone. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)