WRITTEN QUESTION E-0013/01

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 January 2001)

Subject: Mussel farming in the EU

Mussel farming is of vital importance in the coastal region of Galicia, where there are some 11 500 jobs directly linked to the sector, of which 8 500 are permanent, as well as 7 000 jobs indirectly related to it. This is particularly important, bearing in mind that the resources generated by mussel production are spread across a broad social base and that decisions are taken locally, with the result that funds are reinvested in the region. This has a multiplier effect on the local economy, helping to produce socio-economic stability.

As far as aquaculture in general is concerned it is mussel farming which is the backbone of the sector, since between 250 and 300 million kilos of mussels are cultivated annually in Galicia, making it the world's second largest producer after China and the leading European producer, accounting for 50 % of total EU production, with 35 % being sold fresh, 41 % earmarked for traditional processing and 24 % for new alternative processing methods, which are increasingly popular.

The mussel farming management board in Galicia has already applied for a protected designation of origin (PDO) for this product, which would serve as a world-wide standard since it would be the first ever awarded to a seafood product.

Is the Commission aware of the importance of this sector to Galicia, together with the aid measures devoted to it in recent years?

Is it aware of the PDO application for Galician mussels and what measures will it take to support it?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(19 February 2001)

The Commission is fully aware of mussel farming's socio-economic importance in Galicia. Since Spain joined the Community, the sector has received substantial assistance particularly in the form of structural aid under the common fisheries policy.

The name Mejillones de galicia (Galician mussels) could be protected subject to compliance with the procedures laid down by Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92 of 14 July 1992 on the protection of geographical indications and designations of origin for agricultural products and foodstuffs(1), which stipulates that a protected designation of origin (PDO)

or a protected geographical indication (PGI) may be used for products whose quality or characteristics are due to a particular geographical environment (including natural and human factors) or whose reputation is attributable to that geographical origin. The Regulation applies to all agricultural products intended for human consumption referred to in Annex I to the EC Treaty i.e. including fish, crustaceans and molluscs.

The Regulation, which introduces a Community procedure for geographical product name registration based on producers applying jointly and mandatorily describing their products in a specification, also lays down an inspection system and defines the Community protection accorded by registration.

The Commission has indeed received an application from the Spanish authorities regarding registration of the name in question as a protected designation of origin, for which the product's characteristics must be essentially or exclusively due to the defined geographical area. Further information has already been requested with a view to completing examination of the application.

The Community rules encourage the development of labels and generally of measures to promote the quality of fishery products. Contributions towards the cost of registering labels may be made under Council Regulation (EC) No 2792/1999 of 17 December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural assistance in the fisheries sector(2), Article 14 of which stipulates that Member States may, under the conditions specified in Annex III, take measures to encourage collective operations to find and promote new market outlets for fishery and aquaculture products, including operations associated with quality certification, product labelling, rationalisation of product names and product standardisation; the Community financial assistance is chargeable to the financial instrument for fisheries guidance (FIFG).

(1) OJ L 208, 24.7.1992.

(2) OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.