The AAC calls for a reform of the EU aquaculture policy – Aquaculture is set to become a sector of primary importance in the upcoming revision of the European Union Treaty, similar to the evolution of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This is emphasized by the Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC), which has recently published a document of recommendations for reforming aquaculture policy, highlighting the sector’s evolution and growing relevance.
Currently, aquaculture is framed within the CFP and falls under the shared competences between the EU and its Member States, limited to financial and market measures. The EU coordinates strategic policies, while horizontal European policies, such as environmental protection and human and animal health, significantly influence the development of aquaculture.
Despite the strategic guidelines published by the European Commission, aquaculture production in the EU has remained stagnant. The 2013 CFP objectives aimed at promoting sustainable aquaculture and contributing to food security have not been met. The EU’s self-sufficiency rate for aquatic products hit a historic low of 38% in 2021.
AAC’s reform proposals
The AAC agrees on the need to prioritize aquaculture to ensure the supply of healthy and safe food, reduce dependency on imports, and create economic opportunities.
The AAC’s policy reform proposal includes:
1. Sustainable Aquaculture Regulation (ASR): establish a regulatory framework to support the sector’s sustainable development.
2. New CMO regulation on aquaculture products: adjust the legal framework to improve marketing and competitiveness.
3. Amendments to the legal framework for Producer Organizations: strengthen the role of producer organizations for more efficient management.
4. Legal act on performance, monitoring, and evaluation framework (MRSE): ensure effective sector performance monitoring.
5. Consistency with EU environmental directives: align aquaculture policy objectives with environmental directives to ensure sustainability.
Call for dialogue and stakeholder engagement
The AAC calls on EU institutions and Member States to initiate a dialogue on aquaculture policy and advance the reform proposal. It emphasizes the need to create a separate unit for aquaculture within DG Mare to ensure effective implementation of the reform and continuous involvement of the AAC.
Reforming aquaculture policy is essential to overcome current challenges and seize future opportunities. With a renewed policy framework, aquaculture can significantly contribute to food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in the EU.
The AAC calls for a reform of the EU aquaculture policy
