Source: European Parliament
1. Member States can offer support to EU aquaculture companies, including on productive investments or innovation under their European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) programmes. EU aquaculture companies can also benefit from funding opportunities under other EU programmes[1].
2. Strict controls ensure that imported food adheres to high EU standards for consumer protection and safety. The high standards on environmental sustainability applicable to EU aquaculture, as well as its capacity to provide food closer to the consumer, can provide EU aquaculture products a competitive edge over products from third countries. To this end, consumers need to be informed of the origin of aquaculture products, as well as the advantages of EU aquaculture production.
The regulation on the common market Organisation in fishery and aquaculture products (CMO Regulation)[2] ensures that consumers receive clear mandatory information on the origin of aquaculture products. This allows consumers to differentiate between EU aquaculture products and imported ones. In the context of the evaluation of the CMO Regulation, the Commission will assess whether the existing labelling rules provide consumers with adequate information, and whether additional requirements are needed. Under the revised Fisheries Control Regulation[3], the control of the supply chain and traceability requirements of fishery and aquaculture products is enhanced, including imported products from third countries[4].
The Commission has recently launched an EU-wide communication campaign on EU aquaculture, to increase EU citizens and consumer awareness on the benefits of EU aquaculture[5].
- [1] See EU funding opportunities available for aquaculture: https://aquaculture.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2024-03/AAM_WP4_EU%20Funding%20Opportunities_Background%20Paper.pdf.
- [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1379/oj/eng.
- [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/2842/oj/eng.
- [4] Operators will be obliged to digitally record and transmit traceability data for fresh and frozen fisheries and aquaculture products by 10 January 2026. By 2029, this obligation will extend to prepared and preserved products.
- [5] EU Aquaculture — We work for you with passion — European Union: https://eu-aquaculture.campaign.europa.eu/index_en.