The European Parliament said on Tuesday 4 October that the growth potential of the EU aquaculture sector “must be developed in a sustainable way, taking into account the three pillars - economic, social and environmental - of sustainable development”.
The report by Clara Aguilera (S&D, Spanish) on aquaculture was adopted in the European Parliament plenary with 486 votes in favour, 105 against and 27 abstentions.
The 7 amendments tabled by several MEPs were all rejected in plenary. These included fishmeal and the negative effects on food safety, cautious action against cormorants, and concerns about octopus farming.
In adopting Ms Aguilera’s report unchanged, the European Parliament believes that low-impact aquaculture and its environmental services can, “if developed, make a significant contribution to the ‘European Green Deal’, the 'Farm to Fork’ strategy and a sustainable blue economy”.
The European Commission is invited to develop a proposal for a European cormorant management plan to address the problem faced by the aquaculture sector, based on the best available scientific advice and tested experiences in the Member States.
EU ministers adopted conclusions on aquaculture last July (see EUROPE 12995/14). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)