About the Common Fisheries Policy
Article published in Fisheries and aquaculture in Europe magazine, Nr 43
|
Although aquaculture is growing in leaps and bounds globally, European aquaculture is stagnating. Based on an analysis of the challenges, opportunities and difficulties encountered, the Commission proposes, in a Communication to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, to give fresh impetus to a strategy designed to enable European aquaculture to take an active part in today's 'blue revolution'. Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector worldwide, with average annual growth of 6 to 8 %. Global production amounted to nearly 52 million tonnes in 2006, an expansion of one third since the start of the millennium - in only six years! Spectacular growth in Asia and South America in particular has contributed to this phenomenon. At global level, aquaculture already provides nearly half the fish, shellfish and molluscs for human consumption. According to projections made by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), world consumption of fish and seafood will continue to rise. Fish stocks are limited, even disregarding the problem of overfishing. So while fishing will remain essential for supplying a large part of worldwide consumption, rising demand cannot be met fully by wild-harvested fish. These prospects suggest that European aquaculture has a bright future, which is true. It is already an important economic sector today: in 2005, production by the EU-27 aquaculture sector amounted to around 1.3 million tonnes of fish, molluscs and shellfish, representing turnover of about €3.5 billion. The sector provides jobs for some 65,000 people. A strategy to bolster European aquaculture For now, though, European aquaculture is not participating fully in this global expansion. Between 1995 and 2004, total aquaculture production in the EU-27 rose by only 3 to 4 % until 1999, or less than half the global growth rate. From 2000 to 2004, EU production stagnated. With demand from European consumers rising constantly, imports account for more than 60 % of European consumption. That is why the Commission launched in 2002 the first strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture , a major contribution to ensuring the continuity, safety and quality of European fish farming production. Most of the measures set out in the 2002 strategy that come within the remit of the European public authorities have now been implemented. It will be necessary to go even further to meet the challenges still ahead for European aquaculture. That is the subject of a Communication adopted on 8 April 2009 by the Commission, entitled 'Fresh impetus for the strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture'. In addition to the sharp rise in demand, European aquaculture benefits from a number of strengths and opportunities for its expansion. The sector has advanced research and technology, sophisticated equipment, qualified entrepreneurs and innovative small and medium-sized companies. A solid legal framework for the protection of health and the environment is another of its assets. With consumer demand increasingly focused on quality products that are environmentally acceptable, safe and completely traceable, European aquaculture is prepared to meet their expectations. Lastly, the enlargement to 27 countries, which results in higher production, new types of farms and new internal markets, is yet another opportunity not to be missed. Major challenges There is no lack of challenges, however, one being the increasing competition for space in coastal areas, which can hamper further development of coastal aquaculture farms and fish farming. Strict European regulations on environmental protection, animal health and product safety ensure the superior quality of European products. Yet they also lead to real price pressure exerted by imports from Asia and Latin America, where production capacity has expanded sharply in the last few years. High research and development costs for the improvement of breeding conditions and the development of treatments and vaccines, as well as clean technologies for health and environmental protection, can curtail the development of new activities. The fresh impetus proposed by the Commission is meant to respond to these challenges by making the most of the strengths of European aquaculture and supporting the sector's efforts. Promoting competitiveness The first focus of this strategy is to promote the sector's competitiveness and diversity. Competitiveness will be guaranteed first and foremost by advanced research and technologies. The EU has already contributed amply to the development of aquaculture research and technologies (EUR 98 million were allocated to aquaculture research projects, including EUR 32 million for small and medium-sized enterprises, under the Sixth Research Framework Programme). The Commission's Communication nonetheless highlights the importance of maintaining this support. This promotion of research has many priorities, including the development of technologies for better protection of the environment and human and animal health, support for activities that cannot be entirely financed by small and medium-sized enterprises and those with high investment risks, and global problems such as climate change and its impact on aquaculture. By the same token, the Member States and the sector are urged to increase funding for aquaculture projects in the context of the European Research Area. Another measure aimed at improving competitiveness is the promotion of clear national and regional rules allowing fair competition for space. The choice of sites and spatial planning are fundamental to the development of aquaculture activities (see our report on page….). The rules must make it possible to provide the information required to establish an economic activity, to give guarantees to investors, avoid conflicts and build synergy between aquaculture activities and the environment. This integrated approach to maritime spatial planning is promoted in the context of maritime policy . Competitiveness is also tied to the commercial context: the European aquaculture sector has to cope with rising production costs but prices are under pressure. The Commission is considering various actions: better organisation and more cooperation in the sector (producer organisations, inter-branch relations), better consumer information and marketing tools such as labels. The EU should also strengthen its position on the global market by selling its know-how and disseminating its high level of technical skills. Guaranteeing respect for the environment and product quality Guaranteeing that aquaculture respects strict environmental protection standards in the EU is a major challenge. bit it is also an opportunity. If European aquaculture failed to respect the environment it would jeopardise its own survival, because on the one hand the public authorities would not allow this, and on the other because citizens and consumers have become demanding and vigilant in this respect. Efforts will continue to focus on protecting water quality (both water consumed by fish farms and waste water discharged downstream), but also on possible interactions between wild animals and farmed animals (particularly escaped fish). The Commission notes that certain aquaculture practices have a beneficial impact on the environment, in particular through their influence on the protection of coastal zones, wetlands and biodiversity. Animal health and welfare must form an integral part of the strategy for modern and thriving aquaculture, both for economic reasons (good health is essential to the optimal growth of farmed aquatic animals and high production yield), commercial reasons (a better image of the aquaculture sector) and of course public health and respect for the environment. Lastly, different measures are planned in the interest of maintaining high food safety requirements. Enhancing the sector's image and governance The new European strategy for aquaculture also stresses enhancement of the sector's image and improved governance. In terms of image, the public authorities should promote the importance and value of aquaculture not only as a sector that produces wholesome foods, but also as an important economic and environmental player. The Commission also calls for simpler administrative procedures and lower administrative costs for operators. A 'blue revolution' for Europe Modern aquaculture represents a major revolution in the production of fish and foods of aquatic origin in general. The rapid expansion of aquaculture has often been referred to as a 'blue revolution'. Although it offers tremendous possibilities, it nevertheless faces sizeable challenges. The strategy proposed by the Commission aims to tap the development potential of European aquaculture while guaranteeing environmental sustainability and the strictest health standards. This dynamic can only bear fruit if the other stakeholders, the Member States and economic operators, take it up and act effectively at their level. Aquaculture: a diversified activity Aquaculture is a varied sector that includes the farming of not only saltwater and freshwater fish, but also molluscs and shellfish, produced in different types and according to different breeding methods: open or closed, extensive or intensive, on land, in lakes, in tanks – fed by rivers or even groundwater –, in coastal waters or further offshore. Originally a small-scale activity, certain branches of this sector now reflect all the characteristics of a high-tech industry. Although the sector is still largely dominated by SMEs, certain large firms are now emerging in the main links of the supply chain (fish reproduction and fattening, feeding, processing and marketing).
1.These figures do not include aquaculture plant products (aquatic plants and seaweed). 2.Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: A strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture – COM(2002) 511 final. 3.COM(2008) 791 final: Roadmap for Maritime Spatial Planning: Achieving Common Principles in the European Union. |
||