Thursday, 9th April 2009
A new strategy for Europe’s fish farms
The European Commission’s new proposals aimed at boosting Europe’s fish farming sector and reclaiming the EU’s place as world leader in aquaculture have been welcomed by Scots Tory MEP, Struan Stevenson.
The initiative identifies ways of making EU aquaculture more competitive, focusing on maintaining sustainable growth in the industry and improving the sector’s image and management.
The lucrative aquaculture industry has been developing rapidly over the past decade in both Europe and across the world. Today, a fifth of EU fish sold comes from aquaculture.
The sector meets expanding demand from Europe's consumers with high-quality and healthy fish products, while providing more than 80,000 full and part-time jobs, often in remote, peripheral areas. At an annual output of £450 million, the UK is the second biggest aquaculture producer in Europe after France in terms of value.
Commenting on the newly published Commission paper on aquaculture, Struan Stevenson, Conservative Euro MP for Scotland and front bench spokesman on fisheries in the European Parliament said,
“I welcome this report, which is long overdue, as a way of re-booting our fish farms and breathing new life into a once buoyant industry.
“In addition to simplifying legislation, there is a great need for financial support for small and medium enterprises in the fish farming sector. At a time of financial crisis in particular, reducing red tape and bureaucracy are a vital prerequisite for creating new jobs in a selection of fields, from research and technological development to marketing and advertising.
"In Scotland we have cutting edge technology, dynamic entrepreneurs, a perfect environment and a long background in aquaculture, which puts us in poll position to take advantage of any new initiatives from the European Commission.”
Mr Stevenson continued:
"Marine aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector in the world, growing at 9% annually everywhere except the EU. Before they can sell a single fish, our fish farmers have to comply with 400 pieces of regulation, not to mention additional planning and environmental constraints in the Member States. At a time when demand for healthy fish products is growing and marine fish stocks are dwindling, the opportunities for the EU to be a global leader in aquaculture innovation and technological development are hampered by red tape.
“Despite its potential, fish farming in Europe has been stagnating and struggling to compete with non-EU producers. Numerous EU regulations have caused the sector's stagnation in Europe and encouraged the growth of production in countries like China, Japan and Chile. Although EU countries are capable of meeting their consumers' demand for seafood, we are currently importing almost 50% of the fish we eat from outside Europe.”
The Commission Communication is a result of a stakeholder consultation held in 2007 and highlights the current problems of the aquaculture sector, aiming to give a fresh impetus to the EU's fish farming industry.
