Aquaculture in the EU is well placed to seize this opportunity. The EU has a strong market for seafood, a long tradition of freshwater and marine fish and shellfish cultivation, dynamic and advanced research, modern technology, qualified and trained entrepreneurs and fish farmers, suitable climatic conditions and sites for the species currently farmed.
However, our aquaculture sector also faces a number of challenges which have an impact on production. These include limitation of space and of water of good quality, and measures to protect public health and the environment. The high Community standards put European aquaculture at the forefront of sustainable development in the world, both in terms of social and environmental impacts, but make it more difficult to compete price-wise with third-country producers especially in Asia and in South-America where aquaculture production growth is the highest in the world.
In 2002, the European Commission presented a Communication on a Strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture, which gave a ten-year vision of aquaculture aimed at reaching the status of a stable industry guaranteeing long-term secure employment, which was able to cope with the main problems identified, ensuring health and environmental protection. Five years later, although most of the challenges identified then appear still valid, time has come to take stock of progress made so far, and launch a debate with all stakeholders on the further development of sustainable aquaculture in the European Community, which could result in the updating of the 2002 Strategy.
The Commission is now opening a public consultation to invite stakeholders to express their views. Comments should be submitted by 15 July 2007 at the latest, by e-mail: fisheries-aquaculture-consultation@ec.europa.eu
They can also be sent by post to the following address:
Aquaculture consultation
Unit C4 – Aquaculture
DG for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs
European Commission
99, rue Joseph II
B- 1049 Brussels
The contributions to this consultation will be summarised by the European Commission services and shall provide a basis for discussion documents and potential follow-up actions.
Please note that the contributions to the consultation will be published on the website of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Fisheries and Maritime affairs.
FOREWORD
by Commissioner Borg (
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Consultation
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Background
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