Aquaculture

The AAC representatives from the sector and the "other interests" groups present their recommendations on the future European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.

The AAC calls on the Commission to take all necessary steps to find a lasting mutually agreeable solution with the Turkish government so as to grant the EU trout farmers with a level-playing field competition environment.

This position paper makes specific recommendations that are derived from and consistent with the AAC’s existing position paper, and the findings and conclusions of the Commission’s reports. The recommendations are in support of meeting the objectives of the Regulation 1099/2009 (Slaughter Regulation) including voluntary measures.

The AAC recognizes difference between FIFO and FFDR and how it is used by different stakeholders in different situations. Having said that, with a finite supply of fishmeal and fish oil, further growth of the aquaculture feed production will automatically result in an even further reduction of the inclusion of marine resources in the diets.

The AAC believes it is more important to communicate to the media and the consumers the need for sustainable sourced marine ingredients for fish feed and that any other ingredient used in aquafeeds. These should be expected to be subjected to the same level of scrutiny applied to marine-source materials whilst also of stressing the need of reduction of FIFO within the EU aquaculture sector.

The AAC recommends that in the next EMFF period (2021-2027) vaccines and the dissemination of effective vaccination strategies can be considered eligible for receiving public aid.

EU aquaculture is the world leader in sturgeon farming and caviar production. The current rules on caviar labelling are mainly related to compliance with the rules governing the movement and marketing of species and their products subject to CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Reg. EC n. 338/1997).

This position paper adresses the level-playing field for the aquaculture market. The aquaculture sector must be profitable to be able to make the investments neeeded to operate while profitability is only possible if the products are competitive with imports from third countries.