The EC has put forward guidelines to develop and boost the EU’s aquaculture sector under a reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. It said there is a need for less red tape and uncertainty for operators, more access to space and water, improved competitiveness and a level playing field.
Its guidelines set out to simplify administration processes, improve spatial planning and ensure market organisation, diversification, better labelling and improved information.
EC spokesperson Oliver Drewes told FoodNavigator that a stronger, better developed European aquaculture market would have benefits for manufacturers.
“EU aquaculture producers will represent a reliable supplier of high quality seafood for manufacturers,” Drewes said.
“A stronger aquaculture market will ensure that food producers have access to fresh, sustainable and high quality seafood ingredients with a high level of consumer trust,” he said.
Reforms in the sector would also preserve wild fish stocks, he said, ensuring long-term sustainability of the whole seafood sector.
Closing the consumption-production gap
According to the EC 10% of EU seafood consumption comes from aquaculture, with production valued at €3.1bn in 2010.
This compares to 25% from EU fisheries and 65% from imports non-EU countries - which include fisheries and aquaculture.
“The gap between consumption and production of our capture fisheries has been steadily growing in the last years, and aquaculture can help filling it,” the EC said.
European Commissioner for Maritime Affaires and Fisheries Maria Damanaki said she wants to work with EU states to drive the aquaculture sector forward.
“Today, obtaining a licence for a new farm can take up to three years, which obviously deters investors. I want to work with Member States to cut red tape and help the competitiveness of this sector building upon the high level of consumer and environmental protection we currently have,” she said.
Consumers willing to pay a premium
Drewes said that fish produced in aqua farms would appeal to consumers and could be positioned as premium.
“Experience in different food markets shows that consumers are often willing to pay a premium for a product that is safe, high quality and sustainable,” he said.
“If the general public is correctly informed of the characteristics of EU aquaculture products, we expect that this will indeed result in a competitive advantage that producers can use in the marketing of their products.”