On Thursday 28 September, the European Commission decided to send a reasoned opinion to Croatia for failure to comply with European rules to ensure an effective monitoring, control and inspection system for Croatian Bluefin tuna farms.
The Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Croatia in February 2022, identifying serious shortcomings in monitoring the transfer and caging operations of Bluefin Tuna (see EUROPE 12887/22). Moreover, Croatia failed to ensure that all relevant data are cross-checked, to investigate potential non-compliance cases and to take administrative or criminal measures against those responsible for infringing EU law.
The Commission considers that Croatia has not taken the necessary steps to address the above-mentioned deficiencies. Croatia has now two months to respond to the reasoned opinion and take the necessary measures to address the identified shortcomings. Otherwise, the Commission may refer the case to the Court of Justice of the European Union. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)