Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament - A strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture
Date: 2002-09-19
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU initiative, aquaculture, consumer protection, environmental protection, food safety, job creation, region dependent on fishing, sustainable development

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 19.9.2002
COM(2002) 511 final

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

A STRATEGY FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF EUROPEAN
AQUACULTURE

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

A STRATEGY FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF EUROPEAN
AQUACULTURE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.

2.

3.

4.

4.1.

4.2.

4.3.

4.4.

4.5.

4.6.

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................... 3

THE CHALLENGES ............................................................................................... 6

OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................ 10

ACTIONS PROPOSED ......................................................................................... 12

Increasing production ............................................................................................. 12

Competition for space............................................................................................. 13

Market development, marketing and information.................................................... 14

Training.................................................................................................................. 15

Governance ............................................................................................................ 15

Safety of aquaculture products................................................................................ 16

4.6.1.

Public health issues................................................................................................. 16

4.6.2. Animal health issues............................................................................................... 17

4.7.

4.8.

4.9.

5.

Animal welfare....................................................................................................... 18

Environmental aspects............................................................................................ 18

Research................................................................................................................. 20

CONCLUSIONS.................................................................................................... 21

ANNEX ............................................................................................................................... 24

2

1.

INTRODUCTION

Aquaculture is highly diverse and consists of a broad spectrum of species, systems and
practices1. Its economic dimension creates new economic niches, i.e. employment, a
more effective use of local resources, and opportunities for productive investment. The
contribution of aquaculture to trade, both local and international, is also increasing.

The Commission recognised the importance of aquaculture in the frame of the reform of
the Common Fisheries Policy and the necessity to develop a strategy for the sustainable
development of this sector2. This strategy will be coherent with the other Community’s
strategies and in particular with the European Strategy for Sustainable Development3
and the conclusions of the Göteborg European Council of 15/16 June 2001.

The principal aquaculture products of the Union are fish (trout, salmon, sea bass, sea
bream), and molluscs (mussels, oysters and clams). Production rose from 642,000
tonnes in 1980 to 944,000 tonnes in 1990, and reached 1,315,000 tonnes in 2000. This is
just 3% of world aquaculture production, but EU is the world leader for some species
like trout, seabass, seabream, turbot, and mussels. The value is currently
2,500 million
per year. Aquaculture constitutes 17% of the volume and 27% of the value of the total
fishery production of the Union.

€

Europe has skilled aquaculture scientists and good research facilities, which have
contributed significantly to the growth of the sector. The farming technology of some
species was invented in Europe. However, in the last decade the annual growth rate of
EU aquaculture of 3,4 per cent has been slower than the world average (11 per cent).
The progress of fish farming has been good but is now tending to slow down, while
shellfish culture advancement was rather modest with an average 2,1 percent per year.

Aquaculture in the Union is essentially made up by three major sub-sectors, which have
different history and characteristics. These are:

1.

1

2

3

Freshwater fish farming. This is a traditional activity that has now to face the
problem of the relatively low market value of its products in relation to
production costs. Trout is the principal cultured species in value of the Union,
worth approximately 500 million
/year. Trout farming in the past had viability
problems almost everywhere in the Union, in recent times the situation has
slightly improved. The carp branch is experiencing a more difficult situation.
There is a very large number of other species that can be reared but they run up
against the problem of very limited demand. There is unlikely to be a major
growth in the demand for fresh water fish in the near future, unless marketing

€

“Aquaculture” means the rearing or culture of aquatic organisms using techniques designed to
increase the production of the organisms in question beyond the natural capacity of the
environment; the organisms remain the property of a natural or legal person throughout the
rearing or culture stage, up to and including harvesting. (Council Regulation 2792/99 of 17
December 1999 laying down the detailed rules and arrangements regarding Community structural
assistance in the fisheries sector, OJ L 337 of 30/12/1999)
COM(2002) 181 final
COM(2001) 264 final

3

2.

3.

initiatives are taken to change the current trend. In most cases freshwater fish
are farmed in intensive systems, so environmental constraints are important.

Marine mollusc farming. Molluscs account for more than 60% of the volume of
the Union aquaculture but only 30% in value. This sub-sector is widely spread
throughout the Union coastal area and can be locally extremely important in
economic terms and for job creation. It is a relatively old traditional activity,
often practiced in small and technically simple family-owned facilities. In
general
is adequate, although there is
potential to develop the technology to farm a larger range of species. This is a
no feed input activity as farmed molluscs feed on natural resources, and may
suffer difficulties linked to the fluctuations of supply, as shellfish yield depends
on climatic conditions. Profitability is also affected by increasingly frequent
toxic algal bloom, or by specific local ecological problems.

the existing technical development

Marine fish farming. is the most recent development, which started in the
1970s, and technically is the most complex. Until the beginning of the 1990s,
marine fish farming was more profitable than any other aquaculture sub-sector
and this attracted new investors with the consequence of rapid increases in
production, causing market difficulties and price reductions. This sub-sector
also suffers from environmental problems linked to intensive fish farming,
where fish is fed with industrial feed. Production is dominated by salmon, both
in terms of quantity and value. In the last fifteen years seabass and seabream
farming in the Mediterranean has grown rapidly.

Marginal quantities of crustaceans and seaweed are also farmed in the Union. The latter
may have potential for future expansion.

Aquaculture development is spread widely over the Union and often in rural zones or
peripheral areas depending on fisheries, where alternative employment opportunities are
chronically lacking. Little information is available on the socio-economic impact of
coastal aquaculture activities in Europe. However a recent study carried out in some
Scottish areas4 shows that salmon farming development stopped the decline of the rural
time in the last century), and that young people found
population (for the first
employment throughout the year, while other economic activities like tourism were only
seasonal. Aquaculture, and in particular mollusc and cage culture, can be a part-time
additional revenue for fishermen or an alternative for workers displaced from the
fisheries sector, as marine aquaculture needs employees skilled in working in and from a
boat.

In 1998 aquaculture in the EU employed at least 80,000 full or part-time workers,
equivalent to 57,000 full-time jobs. Traditional aquaculture plays an important socio-
economic role in some areas. In Galicia (Spain), the European core of mussel and turbot
farming, the number of jobs in aquaculture is approximately 13,500, without taking
account of indirect employment. In France, oyster farming employs approximately 4,700
people in Charente Maritime and more than 3,000 in Brittany. In the 1980s and 1990s
the development of marine fish farming produced thousands of jobs in peripheral areas
of Scotland, Ireland and Greece.

4

The Scottish Office. “The Economic Impact of Scottish Salmon Farming”. March 1999.

4

Not all the territory of the Union is appropriate for aquaculture development, as many
different factors affect output and viability of aquaculture operations (e.g. water quality,
availability and cost of space, climatic conditions etc.). It is critical, in considering the
location of aquaculture sites, to proceed to a systematic, integrated assessment of both
the positive and negative impacts of new aquaculture developments. This is essential
before projects are financed with public funds.

A vision for the future

Aquaculture in the EU developed well in the last two decades, and this was partly
allowed by the many Community initiatives that have been taken to support this sector.
The Union has a vast legal armoury on aquaculture, and activities to enhance the legal
framework are progressing. However, there is still room for further improvement, and
the recent slowdown of growth must be addressed.

While the overall framework shows a positive potential for further development,
aquaculture in the Union has still to cope with some problems, in particular in the
context of health protection requirements, environmental impact, and market instability.

In the next ten years aquaculture must reach the status of a stable industry which
guarantees long term secure employment and development in rural and coastal areas,
providing alternatives to the fishing industry, both in terms of products and employment.

To secure employment and well-being, European aquaculture must be an economically
viable and self-sufficient industry. The market has to be the driving force of aquaculture
development; production and demand are finely balanced and any increase in production
in excess of the likely evolution in demand should not be encouraged. The range of
products must be enlarged, better marketing strategies have to be implemented. Private
investors are, and have to remain, the leading force to put progress in practice, while a
key role of the public powers will be to guarantee that the economic viability be parallel
to the respect of the environment and the good quality of the products.

The fundamental issue is therefore the maintenance of competitiveness, productivity and
durability of the aquaculture sector. Further development of the industry must take an
approach where farming technologies, socio-economics, natural resources use and
governance are all integrated so that sustainability can be achieved.

5

2.

THE CHALLENGES

• Aquaculture still shows the typical market price instability of young agro-food

industries enjoying rapid growth

• Although public perception believes that aquaculture products are contaminated with
harmful chemicals, this is rarely the case. Seafood5 consumption is in fact beneficial
for human health, if it is guaranteed that seafood farmed in and imported into Europe
is safe, of good quality and produced in a manner providing for good animal health
and welfare practices.

• In some regions, aquaculture faces a considerable problem with the public because of

negative environmental effects.

Encouraging economic viability

The evolution of seafood market demand in Europe creates a good potential for farmed
products, as they comply with the requirements of the supermarkets (regularity of
supply, availability and homogeneity of products); new processing techniques have been
developed and a wide range of new products based on aquaculture species has appeared.

However, responsibility for investment and production development belongs to the
entrepreneurs, which must bear in mind that market saturation is one of the most serious
dangers for the aquaculture industry. Most of the branches of the aquaculture sector have
been exposed to falling market prices since the early 1990s. This was not necessarily
bad, as it stimulated productivity and generated innovative approaches to marketing. But
additional improvements in production efficiency are at present difficult to achieve and
the low profit margins in all the main aquaculture branches leave few resources for
producers to invest in research, development, and marketing.

Public aid. Financial assistance provided by the Community to investment
in
aquaculture from the late 1970’s has stimulated production growth. Aids were
legitimated by the fact that aquaculture was an instrument in regional cohesion policy;
and marine aquaculture was high-risk investment in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Grants were
successful in encouraging European investors, acting as catalysts for investment and
starters for new sectoral developments that would have taken considerably more time to
be achieved in their absence. Grants mainly benefited the newly born aquaculture
branches. But nowadays the situation has changed and overproduction is a concrete
threat for some branches.

New species, organic and “environment friendly” aquaculture. will help to expand EU
aquaculture production. Enlarging the range of farmed species and strains will create
new opportunities, and should continue to be actively promoted. The organic logo is an
important indicator of reliable organic quality; some Member States have their own
national rules, but there are no internationally binding organic aquaculture regulations.
Also, forms of special “environment friendly” aquaculture (as for instance the extensive

5

“Seafood” for the purpose of this communication is taken to include all fisheries and aquaculture
products

6

fish culture, see section 4.8.) deserve additional support, including the development of
specific labels.

Aquaculture feeds. Fishmeal and fish oils are essential constituents of fish feeds. In
2000, no more than 35% of world fishmeal production went into fish feed. In the last
decade the amount of fishmeal used to produce feed for fish farming has considerably
increased, but the annual world fishmeal production has remained static. This because as
aquaculture has grown it has diverted a growing portion of the fishmeal supply from its
traditional use as feed for land animals. The use of fishmeal
in animal feeds is
determined by economics; when fishmeal prices increase, feed formulators use other
protein sources from plants (soy, corn, wheat) to replace them in land animal feeds. The
elimination of fishmeal from aquaculture feeds would not have a net effect on global
fishmeal production in the short term, as fishmeal price would fall and higher levels
would be used in poultry and swine feeds.

However the intensification of freshwater fish aquaculture in Asia may absorb by the
end of this decade as much as 70-80 percent of world fish oil production and at least 50
percent of fishmeal production, creating problems of supply. This resource being
limited, it is extremely important to continue the research effort to find substitute protein
sources in the fish feed formulation.

Competition for space. Many complaints against aquaculture development
reflect
competition for space; the recent growth of aquaculture, particularly on the coastline
where there is already a high concentration of activities, put it in the place of the
newcomer disrupting the long-established statu quo between existing users. Land and
water
for aquaculture will be more and more expensive in future. Aquaculture
establishments may be forced to move offshore, but this is a possibility for some species
only. Here offshore technology needs to further develop.

The Commission's Demonstration Programme on integrated coastal zone management
has shown that the best response to such complex situations is an integrated territorial
approach that addresses concurrently the many different problems an area faces and
involves all the stakeholders.

Markets and marketing. Generic promotional campaigns are important tools to open new
markets and expand existing ones but public support through the FIFG6 has proven to be
insufficient, as costs are still too high for the “poor” aquaculture branches and it is
impossible to finance trans-national campaigns. Reliable statistics on fish
almost
consumption are often lacking, and economic analysis is still needed, including on
macro-tendencies. Real time statistical information on production and markets is also
essential. Farmers are not using enough the available official quality schemes. In
addition, the reluctance of some European farmers to adhere to common organisations
reflects the highly individual nature of the profession, but the lack of a cohesive
approach has already caused serious disruption in regional markets for some species.

Governance. A coherent and specific EU legislation for aquaculture does not exist, since
many aquaculture issues are regulated by national legislation, which is influenced by a

6

Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance, Regulation (EC) 2792/99, OJ L 337 of 30/12/1999

7

number of horizontal Community Directives. This complex situation has been alleged to
lead to competition distortions among producers from different Member States.

Guaranteeing food safety, animal health and welfare

Seafood is an important source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, phosphorous,
iron, selenium, iodine and vitamins. Consumers must be able to profit from these
qualities while being assured that aquaculture products are hygienic and safe.

Dioxin. The Council has adopted on 27 November 2001 Council Directive 2001/102/EC
amending Directive 1999/29/EC on the undesirable substances and products in animal
nutrition7, introducing maximum limits for dioxins in fishmeal, fish oil and feeds for
fish. On 29 November 2001 the Council adopted Council Regulation (EC) 2375/2001
amending Commission Regulation (EC) 466/2001 setting maximum levels for certain
contaminants in foodstuffs8,
introducing maximum levels for dioxins in fish. The
maximum level for fish will exclude the most contaminated 5 % of fisheries products
from the market. It is unlikely to have an impact on farmed fish, since feed for fish has
to comply with a strict maximum level resulting in the production of farmed fish
respecting the maximum level for dioxins set for fish.

Antibiotics. The use of antibiotics in European aquaculture has decreased markedly in
the past decade, mostly due to the development of vaccines. This trend should be further
encouraged, and the development of new vaccines is a research priority. This also to
further reduce the prophylactic use of antibiotics. Antibiotic residues in food are
monitored according to the provisions of Council Directive 96/239. Third countries
exporting to the EU are also required to have residue-monitoring plans in place in order
to meet the EU requirements.

Harmful algal blooms. regularly threaten public health and cause economic damage to
fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism. Their causes are not yet completely understood, but
there is increasing awareness about the key role of nutrients.

Animal health. The first Community legislation concerning animal health in aquaculture
production was adopted in 1991. Today, detailed and harmonised legislation is in place
covering animal health aspects of the aquaculture production. The primary legislation
includes conditions governing the placing on the market of aquaculture animals and
products10, measures for the control of certain fish diseases11 and of certain diseases
affecting bivalve molluscs12. However, the legislation is specific to the situation of the
sector in the late 1980s and early 1990s, so it needs to be updated and adapted to the
present conditions of production and market.

7

8

9

10

11

12

OJ L 6 of 10/1/2002
OJ L 321 of 6/12/2001
OJ L 125 of 23/5/1996
Council Directive 91/67/EEC (OJ L 46 of 19/2/1991) as last amended by Directive 98/45/EC
(OJ L 189 of 3/7/1998)
Council Directive 93/53/EC (OJ L 175 of 19/7/1993) as last amended by Commission Decision
2001/288/EC (OJ L 99 of 10/4/2001)
Council Directive 95/70/EC (OJ L 332 of 30/12/1995) as last amended by Commission Decision
2001/293/EC (OJ L 100 of 11/4/2001)

8

Sea lice. A peculiar veterinary problem linked with salmon farming is due to sea lice.
These parasites proliferate on farmed salmon, and the young wild fish of migratory
species (mainly of sea trout) could be heavily infected during their estuarine movements.
The reduction of wild salmonids abundance is also linked to other factors but there is
more and more scientific evidence establishing a direct link between the number of lice-
infested wild fish and the presence of cages in the same estuary.

Disease control. in aquaculture should focus first on prevention (good management
practices, vaccines, etc.) rather than cure, but
the use of veterinary medicines is
necessary in certain circumstances. As any veterinary medicinal product can only be
granted a marketing authorisation after a full evaluation of its quality, efficacy, and
safety13, the significant investment needed to develop new veterinary medicinal products
limit the availability of such products for certain animal species or diseases14.

Addressing environmental effects

It is important that every aquaculture development produces a product that is not only
acceptable to consumers in terms of price, quality and safety, but also in terms of
environmental cost. Aquaculture is accused of producing negative environmental effects,
although many of these effects still need to be scientifically substantiated. Actions
should be taken to prevent environment degradation. The EU is a contracting party to the
UN Convention on Biological Diversity15 and adheres to the FAO Code of Conduct for
Responsible Fisheries16, it is evident that the Community’s strategy for aquaculture
development must be coherent with the strategies for environmental protection17.

Eutrophication. The effect of nitrogen and phosphorous releases from farmed animal
faeces or uneaten food from individual farms is generally of little importance compared
to the regional inflow of nutrients in open water masses, but it can be significant in the
farm area and its immediate surroundings. The impact on biodiversity depends on the
number and the extent of the sites and their location. In areas with numerous farms,
nutrient enrichment and the risk of eutrophication are significant issues.

On-growing of wild fish. The demand of juveniles of wild origin generated by the
development of eel and bluefin tuna farming has the potential to harm the status of these
already highly exploited stocks.

Escapees, alien species and GMOs. Escaped fish inter-breeding with native populations
may induce long-term damage by the loss of genetic diversity. The introduction of
foreign species may lead to biodiversity threats if the released or escaped exotics take
root in their new environment. The potential deliberate release of transgenic fish without

13

14

15

16

17

On the basis of Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of
6 November 2001 on the Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products
(OJ L 311 of 28/11/2001, p. 1)
Commission Communication of 5 December 2000, COM(2000) 806 final
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity adopted 5 June 1992, it came into force
29 December 1993
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 1995
In particular the European Strategy for Sustainable Development (COM(2001)264 final),
the Biodiversity Action Plan for Fisheries (COM(2001) 162 final, Vol. IV), and the Commission
Communication on the sixth environment action programme of the European Community
(COM (2001) 31 final)

9

containment measures raises public concern in terms of risk to the environment.
Introduction of new species may also lead to the introduction of diseases, both to farmed
and wild stocks.

Positive effects of extensive farming. Sustainable aquaculture can help to improve
environmental protection and restoration in many ways. Extensive systems are a very
good way of exploiting the natural resources of the water bodies, so developing
the
associate
extensive
conservation/development of wetlands. Unfortunately their dependence on natural
processes represents also a limit to their productivity, implying a low compatibility with
intense economic activity.

a way to

economic

farming

activity

and

an

is

Re-stocking. Many freshwater fish stocks would have been significantly reduced or
would have disappeared from their natural habitat as a result of human activities without
regular re-stocking with hatchery-produced fish. In some cases “ecological” re-stocking
of species, which have died out in an area, as in the case of sturgeon, has been initiated.

Predation by protected species. Aquaculture facilities may suffer from predation by
some protected wild species of birds and mammals. Predation may significantly reduce
the profitability of an aquaculture enterprise and predator control is difficult, especially
in large extensive ponds or lagoons. The efficacy of scaring devices is doubtful, because
animals quickly become used to them. In the case of cormorants, probably the only
protection for fisheries and aquaculture activities consists in the management of the still-
growing wild populations.

Stimulating research

Since companies tend to get bigger, there is a trend for company led research. However,
the cost of R&D activities is a major issue, as the current financial difficulties of many
aquaculture branches preclude private enterprises from investing sufficient resources in
R&D. There is also a need for more research on pharmaceutical products. However
pharmaceutical companies are not always interested since the market is small and the
size of the industry is limited.

3.

OBJECTIVES

• Creating long term secure employment, in particular in fisheries dependent areas.

• Assuring the availability to consumers of products that are healthy, safe and of good

quality, as well as promoting high animal health and welfare standards.

• Ensuring an environmentally sound industry.

The Community strategy for sustainable development of European aquaculture aims to
create the best possible conditions that will enable aquaculture producers to offer a
healthy product
in the quantities required by the market, while not degrading the
environment. The success of the strategy depends on collaboration by all the actors of
the sector: national and local public administrations, mostly, but also the industry and
the representatives of the other stakeholders, such as consumers. The rest of the

10

document defines the needed actions and the appropriate level at which to implement
them.

Creating long term secure employment, in particular in fisheries dependent areas

The first, ambitious objective is to increase employment in aquaculture by between
8,000 and 10,000 full-time job equivalents over the period 2003-2008. This will be
mainly obtained in fisheries-dependent areas by developing mollusc and cage farming,
and will be an opportunity for workers who lose their jobs in the catching sector. The
success of this objective will depend on four sub-objectives:

a) Increasing the Union’s aquaculture production growth rate to 4 % per year.
Particular attention should be given to growth in the mollusc sub-sector, the farming of
new species, “organic” production and environmentally certified production.

b) Solving the conflicts for space that are currently hindering the development of
aquaculture in some areas.

c) Promoting market development. The enlargement of the market outlets, opening
new markets, integrating production and sales, stimulating demand by quality and
promotion policies, and the real time collection and analysis of production and market
data are all needed here.

d) Improving the governance in the aquaculture sector.

Assuring the availability to consumers of products that are healthy, safe and of
good quality, as well as promoting high animal health and welfare standards

Consumers must continue to benefit from the positive health effects derived from
consumption of fish and shellfish. It
is essential to offer the maximum level of
consumer protection in terms of product safety and quality, and to reduce the
incidence of farmed animal diseases and prevent transmission of diseases to and from
the wild stocks. Other issues to address under this heading are the welfare of farmed
fish, and the risks associated with harmful algal blooms.

Ensuring an environmentally sound industry

It is important to reduce the negative environmental impacts of aquaculture by
developing a set of norms and/or voluntary agreements which prevent environment
degradation. Conversely, the positive contribution of certain aquaculture developments
to the environment must be recognised and encouraged, including by public financial
incentives.

Finally,
the general objective of enlarging the knowledge base of the industry
encompasses all the aspects of farming and is paramount for aquaculture as it is for
is essential to further encourage research and
every modern economic activity. It
technological development, expanding the opportunities for its public financing and
promoting private initiative in this area.

11

4.

ACTIONS PROPOSED

4.1.

Increasing production

• Re-focus priorities for public aid through the FIFG

• Promote research on new species and strains, as well as on alternative protein sources

for fish feed

• Create specific common definitions and norms for organic and “environment

friendly” aquaculture

Public aid. Regulation 2792/99 clearly states that increases in production that are likely
to disrupt the market should not be encouraged. Therefore the Commission proposes that
the intervention by public authorities in favour of aquaculture be re-directed towards
favouring modernisation of the existing farms and diversification, rather than increasing
production capacity for species where the market is close to saturation. Action should be
taken on measures such as training, monitoring, research and development and clean
farming technologies. The improvement of traditional aquaculture activities such as
mollusc farming, that are important in maintaining the social and environmental tissue
of specific areas, should be encouraged.

New species. The Commission believes that research on species diversification is a top
priority, for both fish and molluscs. Selected new species must necessarily respond to
customers’ preferences, in accordance with new market trends. Efforts should possibly
be oriented to species such as seaweed, molluscs and herbivorous fish, that are able to
utilise the primary production more efficiently. Another priority is the introduction of
effective genetic improvement programmes using selective breeding, as this will lead to
considerable gains in productivity. Introduction of new species should be carried out in
such a way to avoid the introduction of diseases.

Organic and “environment friendly” aquaculture. Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/9118
sets up a framework of Community rules on production, labelling and inspection for
organic farming. In the interests of producers and purchasers, the Commission wants to
include norms for organic aquaculture in the Regulation. Some forms of aquaculture that
are particularly beneficial for environment protection and restoration may be issued
special assistance, including for the development of labels (see section 4.8.).

Aquaculture feeds. The Commission considers that research to find alternative protein
sources for fish feed should be given top priority,
in order to allow a further
development of carnivorous fish farming and, at the same time, ensure the sustainability
of industrial fisheries.

Feed used for aquaculture must not present a risk to human health, animal health or the
environment. Therefore EC legislation will continue to be based on lists of substances
that can or cannot be used in animal feeding. The conditions of manufacturing of
feedingstuffs must guarantee the safety of the final product. The Commission will soon

18

On organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto on agricultural
products and foodstuffs, OJ L 198 of 22/07/1991

12

present a proposal on feed hygiene that will also cover the aquaculture feeding.
Furthermore, all the additives included in feed are authorised and monitored by EEC
legislation. This list is regularly assessed and updated, in the light of new scientific
findings.

4.2.

Competition for space

• Develop closed water recirculating systems, offshore fish cage technology, mollusc

offshore rafts and long-lines

• Incorporate future aquaculture developments in Integrated Zone Strategies and

Management Plans

Inland farming. The Commission considers that closed water recirculating systems
should be further developed in order to reduce water demand and to transfer farms to
areas with less landscape value. They have already proven to work for a limited number
of species but for many others they are not yet cost-effective on a commercial scale.
Further research and refinement of technology may make recirculating systems more
economically viable.

Marine fish farming. Fish cages should be moved further from the coast, and more
research and development of offshore cage technology must be promoted to this end.
Experience from outside the aquaculture sector, e.g. with oil platforms, may well feed
into the aquaculture equipment sector, allowing for savings in the development costs of
technologies.

Mollusc farming. In traditional mollusc farming areas competition for space is not a
major issue but finding space for new concessions is hard because this kind of farming is
highly sensitive to external pollution and requires large amounts of space to thrive.
Technological development of offshore rafts and long-lines has been successful.
Therefore the Commission believes Member States should give greater priority to FIFG
financing of this technology that will help to expand the sub-sector, even if it is more
burdensome in terms of initial capital investment and running costs.

Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). The perspective of moving aquaculture
further away from the coast should not prevent it from being considered as user of the
coastal territory with the same rights as other human activities. Future aquaculture
development should be based on Integrated Zone Strategies and Management Plans,
which consider aquaculture in relation to all other existing and potential activities and
take account of their combined impact on the environment.

The Commission has submitted to the Council and the European Parliament a European
Strategy for ICZM19, following which the European Parliament and the Council adopted
an EU Recommendation on ICZM20. The Strategy should lead to improved management
of coastal zones. The Recommendation identifies aquaculture among the sectors and
areas to be addressed in the future National ICZM strategies. The approach outlined in
the Strategy and the Recommendation could serve as a model for introducing sustainable

19

20

COM (2000) 547 final
Recommendation 2002/413/EC of 30/5/2002, OJ L 148/24 of 6/6/2002

13

development in other parts of the European territory (e.g. river catchments are the most
appropriate management unit in inland waters).

4.3.

Market development, marketing and information

• Increase the use of official quality marks

• Improve the image of the industry, and develop promotional campaigns

• Develop new tools to gather statistical information on production and markets

• Further develop farmers’ partnerships

Quality. Consumer confidence in products is to a large extent dependent on both
perceived product quality and information about the product. In this respect, appropriate
and well-designed labelling is an important tool. European aquaculture producers should
take advantage of the possibilities offered by the EU schemes for product marketing and
use the official quality marks available21. The Community has created logos enabling
food products that benefit from these quality protection schemes to be readily identified.
Their wider use should be encouraged, even though the FIFG finances the costs of
quality certification, until now only three aquaculture products have been issued with a
label.

Promotion. As the image of farmed fish may be very different from country to country, a
major communication effort has to be made. Consequently, the conditions for FIFG
support for generic promotional campaigns should be revised to make funds available in
a special budget for trans-national campaigns.

Market data. Mechanisms should be put in place to monitor the market and inform the
stakeholders about its development in real time (e.g. from auctions or ex-farm data). The
Commission therefore encourages Member States to offer FIFG support to develop more
sophisticated and effective information and communication tools for the transfer of
commercial
to allow a more rapid implementation of promotional
measures, the organisation of market strategies, and application of suitable structural
changes. However these systems must not reduce competition or encourage agreements
between producers to fix prices.

information,

to

Farmers’ partnership. The most important marketing measure that farmers should take
is
producer’s
organisations/associations. These are essential tools to prevent upheavals in supply as
well as to compensate for the lack of economy of scale of small farms.

co-operatives,

organisations,

develop

further

trade

and

21

Council Regulation (EEC) No 2081/92, OJ L 208 of 24/07/1992 and Council Regulation (EEC)
No 2082/92, OJ L 208 of 24/07/1992

14

4.4.

Training

• Adapt training programmes to aquaculture needs

• Recognise the role of women

• Recognise aquaculture in rural development and reversing the decline in coastal

communities

Training. A special effort has to be made to improve training. Training of farmers is
essential in particular on environmental problems, as many of those problems could be
eliminated by improvements in farm management and operational practices. Educational
programmes to sensitise producers to sustainability issues should be implemented. The
Commission encourages Member States to consider the aquaculture sector’s needs when
determining their European Social Fund programmes.

The role of women. It is appropriate to improve the quality and the number of work
opportunities for women, which are often based on seasonal employment or activities
requiring low level of training and commanding low wages. Women’s support in the
running (including processing, marketing and retailing) of aquaculture enterprises
should be better recognised. Training for women involved or wishing to become
involved in accounting or management activities should be provided in ESF
programmes.

Rural and coastal development; reversing the decline in coastal communities. When
programming rural and coastal development measures, Member States should recognise
the role played by aquaculture in the local economy, for the maintenance of the social
and cultural heritage of these areas, and for maintaining the population above critical
levels. Its leverage role for the development of tourism should also be acknowledged.

Member States should also consider the promotion of aquaculture as a means to generate
employment opportunities
fisheries workers. Existing
Community aid regimes may be adapted to this extent in the context of the mid-term
review 2003-2004. The Commission will promote the development of aquaculture in its
strategy to counter the social, economic and regional consequences of
fisheries
restructuring.

the redeployment of

for

4.5.

Governance

• Stakeholder participation must be further developed

• The industry should make more use of self-regulation and voluntary agreements

Stakeholder participation. Policies aiming simply at boosting production without
maintaining a critical perspective on the strategy adopted may seriously affect both the
physical and the economic environment. The inclusion of broader consultations will
need changes in the decision-making process. Therefore, the Commission considers that
the respective roles of governments and private sector must be redefined, and
stakeholder (producer associations, researchers, consumers, and special interest groups)
participation and consultation in policy planning must be further developed.

15

Codes of Conduct and Codes of Practice. The lack of specific EU legislation for
aquaculture has been alleged to lead to distortions of competition; self-regulation could
provide answers to some of the difficulties encountered by both the aqua-farmers and the
legislative institutions. The Commission invites the farmers associations to develop and
update trans-national Codes of Conduct22 and more specific Codes of Practices derived
from them. This may reassure consumers that certain negative attributes possibly
associated with the products, for instance in terms of environment and safety, do not
apply to those purchased from producers or retailers who adhere to the Codes. Voluntary
Codes may also reduce competition distortions between producers, improve the image of
the aquaculture products and enlarge market demand.

EMAS. A special case of voluntary agreement not yet used by the aquaculture sector is
the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme. The EMAS Regulation23 extends the scope of
EMAS to all sectors of economic activity and introduces a specific logo. Registration in
the scheme requires an organisation to adopt an environmental policy containing
commitments both to achieve continuous improvements in environmental performance
and to comply with all relevant environmental legislation. Participation in EMAS will
enable an organisation to gain a marketplace advantage and save costs. The Commission
recommends to the aquaculture industry to join the EMAS scheme.

More specific “environment friendly aquaculture” labels may be also envisaged. The
Commission will study if special provisions have to be developed at European level, or
if such labels should better be developed by the industry itself on the basis of Codes of
Best Practices.

4.6.

Safety of aquaculture products

• Recast of the Community legislation on food hygiene

• Provisions for dioxin and antibiotic residues

• More research on and control of toxic algal blooms and aquatic animal diseases

• Regular updating and simplifying of aquatic animal health legislation

• Modification of the veterinary pharmaceutical legislation

4.6.1.

Public health issues

EU legislation on hygiene of foodstuffs. A recast of Community legislation on hygiene
of foodstuffs was adopted by the Commission in July 2000 and forwarded to the Council
and the European Parliament24. The recast of legislation is primarily motivated by the
need to ensure a high level of health protection for the consumer. The implementation of
hazard analysis and control principles (HACCP) and the observance of hygiene rules

22

23

24

Based on the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (1995), that basically addresses
the governments
Regulation (EC) No 761/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2001
allowing voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit
scheme (EMAS). OJ L 114 of 24/04/2001
COM(2000) 438final, OJ C 365 of 19/12/2000

16

must ensure this safety. In addition, provision is made for the hygiene rules to be applied
at all levels of the food chain, from primary production to delivery to the final consumer.
Farmers will be required to keep records relevant to health protection (feed origin,
animal health status, use of medicines etc).

Dioxin. Council Directive 2001/102/EC and Council Regulation (EC) 2375/2001 foresee
that the maximum levels of dioxins in feed and food will be reviewed for the first time
by 31 December 2004 at the latest in the light of new data on the presence of dioxins and
dioxin-like PCBs, in particular with a view to the inclusion of dioxin-like PCBs in the
levels to be set. A further review by 31 December 2006 at the latest will aim to
significantly reducing the maximum levels.

Antibiotics. The food scare caused by the detection of residues of banned antibiotics in
imported farmed shrimp has resulted in a number of safeguard measures. Surveillance
on the use of antibiotics in aquaculture and for antibiotics and other residues will be
reinforced in the light of these findings.

Harmful algal blooms. The risk of toxic blooms must be assessed as a standard part of a
feasibility study for the establishment of an aquaculture operation. For shellfish culture
in areas at risk, continuous monitoring of the environment and the cultured animals has
to be assured (legislation is already in place). Toxic algal blooms are one of the most
serious limiting factors for the future of shellfish farming in Europe, and unfortunately
there are no practical means of substantially reducing the impact of a toxic bloom or of
accurately predicting their occurrence. More research has to be carried out on this topic.

4.6.2.

Animal health issues

Veterinary legislation. There is a continuous need for the Commission to regularly
review, update and simplify the animal health Community legislation for aquatic
animals and products with regard to ever changing developments, particularly in the
diversity of aquaculture production and in international practical experience and
scientific knowledge.

At farmers’ level, it is important to encourage partnership between farmers and to
develop good management practices, including preventive measures aiming to avoid
introduction of new pathogens and the spread of diseases to farmed and wild stock.
Ways to introduce new species without endangering the current stocks should be sought.

Sea-lice. Extensive research is being carried out to find solutions to this problem and
this work should continue. Management measures are also encouraged: monitoring,
fallowing, co-ordinated treatment
in adjacent farms. Management measures for the
control of sea lice should also be included in the envisaged recast of the EU legislation
on fish disease, in particular the need for exclusion zones should be examined.

Veterinary medicines. In order to address the specific needs of aquaculture,
Commission has proposed some modifications of existing pharmaceutical legislation25.

the

25

COM(2001) 404 final of 26 November 2001

17

4.7.

Animal welfare

• Initiatives to improve farmed fish welfare

The welfare status of captive livestock is an important determinant of society's overall
acceptance of
the European
farming technology. The Standing Committee of
Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes (Council of
Europe) is currently elaborating a recommendation on farmed fish, and the European
Commission services are participating in this work. When the recommendation is
approved and if it is necessary for its uniform application, the Commission will consider
making a proposal to the Council for specific legislation on the protection of farmed fish
as provided by Directive 98/58/EC26 on the protection of farm animals. This could
improve the public perception of intensive aquaculture.

4.8.

Environmental aspects

• Mitigate the impact of wastes

• Manage the demand for wild fish for on-growing

• Develop instruments to tackle the impact of escapees, alien species and GMOs

• Integrated pollution prevention and control

• Specific criteria and guidelines for aquaculture Environmental Impact Assessments

• Recognise and strengthen the positive impact of extensive culture and re-stocking

• Find solutions for the predation from protected wild species

Eutrophication. Council Directive 91/676/EEC27 aims to reduce water pollution caused
or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources, including the spreading or discharge of
livestock effluents. The Commission will study if the Directive should be extended to
include intensive fish farming.

Ways of mitigating the impact of nutrient wastes that deserve consideration by Member
States and private enterprises include: integrating aquaculture into coastal and river
basin area management, placing production facilities in areas with good water exchange,
using improved feed and feeding methods, and fallowing (site rotation of cages in order
to speed recovery of the bottom layer). Effluent treatment equipment is available at
present for land-based systems and farmers may ask for FIFG aid to install it, while new
waste collection systems under cages may be developed, and they will be eligible for
FIFG funding. The Commission invites the competent authorities of Member States to
facilitate the delivery of public authorisations needed to deploy this equipment. Farmers
must also be given a sufficient number of sites to rotate in order to practice fallowing.

26

27

Council Directive 98/58/EC, OJ L 221 of 08/08/1998
Of 12 December 1991, concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates
from agricultural sources. OJ L 375 of 31/12/1991

18

On-growing of wild fish. The on-growing of eel and bluefin tuna currently depends on
the capture of wild fish, because the controlled reproduction in captivity of these species
has not yet been achieved. Tuna farming has increasing effects on tuna fisheries in the
Mediterranean and may affect the livelihood of fishermen, because of the capture of
fishery
juvenile fish. The Commission will
management initiatives.

take this into account

in relevant

Escapees, alien species and GMOs. The Commission has financed research on the
threats to the diversity of wild Atlantic salmon caused by farm escapees, but further
studies are needed. The process started in February 2000 by NASCO and the North
Atlantic salmon farming industry to develop guidelines to minimise salmon escapees is
particularly worthy of support. The Commission will examine whether such guidelines
should be implemented by way of compulsory rules and may extend them to other fish
species and strains.

The Commission considers that all Member States should adhere to the ICES Code of
Practice on the Introduction and Transfer of Marine Organisms28 to prevent accidental
introductions. The Commission will propose management rules on the introduction of
non-indigenous aquatic species that are consistent with the provisions of this Code.

The Commission has funded some research projects on the potential risks of transgenic
fish in containment facilities, which ensures that Europe has the expertise available to
address the safety issues. However, the Commission is also examining the need for
specific legislation on transgenic fish.

As the introduction of new species for farming,
in particular when they are not
indigenous, may also lead to the introduction of diseases, good and careful management
practices including preventative measures at farmers’ level are essential, in addition to
possible legislative implications.

Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC). Activities covered by Council
Directive 96/61/EC29 need an "integrated, periodically reviewed" permit, addressing
pollution to air, water and soil, waste prevention and disposal, energy use, accident
prevention and site clean-up. Permit conditions must be based on best available
techniques (BAT). The Commission organises an exchange of information on BAT,
resulting in publicly available BAT reference documents (BREFs). The IPPC Directive
mainly covers industrial activities with a high pollution potential but also intensive
livestock farming (pigs and poultry). The Commission will examine the inclusion of
intensive fish farming into the scope of the IPPC Directive and the development of an
appropriate BREF.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Thorough EIA procedures governing the
location of farming operations should always be applied for intensive fish farms and
should be adapted to the type and the scale of the proposed development and to the
perceived sensitivity of the receiving water body. The Commission will examine the

28

29

International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. 1995
Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and
control, OJ L 257 of 10/10/1996

19

feasibility of developing specific criteria and guidelines to undertake EIAs for
aquaculture.

Extensive fish culture. Due to its poor economic performance, the development of
ecologically beneficial aquaculture depends on public support. The Commission invites
Member States to recognise the positive role of extensive fish farming, also in
consideration of its potential for tourism, recreation and education to nature.

Certain environmental aspects of ponds or other water bodies in use for aquaculture are
eligible for EU support in connection with agriculture and landscape conservation, in the
framework of rural development schemes30. The midterm evaluation of the rural
development plans will provide a first insight into the effectiveness of this financial
assistance. Encouraging extensive farming is also possible, under certain conditions, via
the FIFG, and it could be extended. Farmers should also consider the use of labels of
origin, because the quality of extensively produced fish differs from intensively
the same species. Extensively produced fish may have a
produced animals of
commercial advantage.

Re-stocking. Stocked fish should originate from local broodstock, to avoid the risk of
negative genetic interactions with wild populations. Member States should consider the
development of fish farms specifically set up to support the stocking of inland waters.

Predation by protected species. The Commission considers that the relevant public
authorities should investigate methods to protect fish farms from wild predators. Under
Article 9 of Council Directive 79/409/EEC31 Member States can take measures to limit
the impact of protected bird species in order to prevent serious damage to fisheries and
water and for the protection of flora and fauna.

4.9.

Research

• Extending the opportunities of financing research and technological development

• Identifying research priorities

Research in the enterprises. Aquaculture is a self-sustainable industrial activity and is
therefore expected to cater for its own R&D needs. However, the current financial
position of many aquaculture branches does not permit private enterprises to face the
cost of R&D activities. Therefore they need to be aided by national research
programmes and general Community incentives such as SME research funding. It is
envisaged that in the future the FIFG could also provide additional support for small
scale applied research conducted by aquaculture enterprises.

Co-ordination. Only specialised research institutes have the technical skills to carry out
most of the required research. The Commission considers that researchers should co-
ordinate their activities with their national authorities and the industry.

30

31

Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 May 1999 on support for rural development from
the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing
certain Regulations, OJ L 160 of 26/06/1999
Directive 79/409/CEE of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 103 of 25/04/1979

20

The 6th Framework Programme. There also exist clear EU-wide research needs in
support of aquaculture within the CFP. Aquaculture environmental impacts and other
interactions, as well as fish and shellfish health aspects, are important policy issues,
which will need to be addressed by research funds in support of Community policy
development within the 6th Framework Programme (2002-2006)32. In addition, relevant
consumer health and product quality aspects will be considered by horizontal EU
research programmes in the food quality and safety domain.

the most

Research priorities. Some of
research needs in relation to
aquaculture are identified in section 5.4. of the Biodiversity Action Plan for Fisheries.
The development of
the 6th Framework Programme will provide additional
opportunities to strengthen the research priorities in support of the Action Plan. Other
important R&D needs have been highlighted in the previous sections of
this
Communication.

important

5.

CONCLUSIONS

The Commission strategy for a sustainable development of the European aquaculture
industry aims at:

• Creating long term secure employment, in particular in fishing-dependent areas;

• Assuring the availability to consumers of products that are healthy, safe and of good

quality, as well as promoting high animal health and welfare standards;

• Ensuring an environmentally sound industry.

The success of aquaculture in creating employment will depend on the ability of the
industry to be economically viable and self-sufficient. This involves aspects related to
production development, market, training, and governance.

Production development
is possible at a quicker pace than in the recent past but
aquaculture has to remain a market-led activity. A variety of “structural” actions is
needed: enlarging the number of farmed species, not encouraging the construction of
new production capacities for branches that are already close to market saturation,
developing tools to check and inform stakeholders about production and markets,
improving marketing, communication efforts, promotional campaigns and generic
advertising,
improving the partnership between producers and promote good
management practice. These actions should include preventive measures aiming to avoid
introduction of new pathogens and the spread of diseases to farmed and wild stocks. The
FIFG regulation will be adapted in order to take in consideration these new challenges
and objectives.

Quality aspects are also important: the Union has provided for the key legislative
instruments and incentives, so now it is up to the producers and their associations to take

32

Decision No 2002/1513/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002
concerning the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Community for
research,
technological development and demonstration activities, contributing to the creation of the
European Research Area and to innovation (2002-2006)

21

the initiative. The emerging sector of organic production will contribute to expanding
the industry; it is necessary, however, to establish a common definition of “organic
aquaculture production” with specific norms and criteria.

A critical limiting factor for production development is the availability of space and
clean water. Developing certain technologies such as water re-circulating systems,
offshore cages and long-lines will allow for a reduction of dependence on local
resources. Nevertheless, this cannot solve all the problems; Integrated Coastal Zone
Management will be needed for a proper integration of aquaculture with the other
activities carried out on the coast.

Training is needed in order to maintain the entry of well-qualified technical and
managerial staff into the sector in the future, especially women.

Stakeholders’ participation in the process of policy planning for aquaculture at local,
national and international level needs to be improved. Member States are invited to
consider this issue. The Commission encourages the industry to self-regulate and to
adhere to the EMAS scheme.

To ensure the availability of healthy products for the consumer, the Commission is
working on the key issue of product safety, through the current revision of the existing
legislation, the new provisions on dioxin control and the reinforced surveillance for
antibiotic residues. The Commission is also working on a recasting of a number of key
Directives on public and animal health issues, and on updating the legislation on
veterinary medicines. In addition, a regular updating and adaptation of the animal health
legislation to developments in the industry, practical experience and scientific
knowledge gained, is carried out.

International action to improve the welfare of farmed fish is progressing, and the
Commission is contributing to it. The Commission will consider proposing legislation in
due course.

In order to promote an environmentally sound industry, the Commission will consider
the development of specific criteria and guidelines for aquaculture Environmental
Impact Assessments. It may also consider extending the field of application of the
“nitrates” Directive (91/676/EC) to include intensive fish farming. The inclusion of
intensive fish farming within the scope of the IPPC Directive 96/61/EC would also lead
to improved environmental performance across the board and will help to reassure the
European consumer about the environmental sustainability of the industry.

To minimise other potential environmental risks, the Commission will consider the
development of rules on containment of farmed fish, the implementation of management
rules on the introduction of non-indigenous aquatic species, as well as the need for
specific legislation on transgenic fish.

The Commission invites the relevant national authorities to recognise and support the
potential beneficial effects of extensive aquaculture on the environment. This will also
require to take measures to protect it against predation from wild species.

Finally, research in aquaculture should be strengthened. EU-wide aquaculture research
and development needs with a clear relation to CFP issues should be addressed by EU

22

research funding schemes. Research related to industrial development will mainly be
addressed by the industry itself, helped by national programmes and by general
Community incentives such as SME research funding, although it is envisaged that in
the future these needs will also be supported by national FIFG programmes.

23

ANNEX

TIMETABLE

ACTION

LEVEL OF INITIATIVE

YEAR*

Creating employment, in particular in fishing dependent areas

on

aid

Increase the focus of structural
horizontal
financial
measures
concentrate
and
assistance to individual firms on
“clean”
modernisation
technologies

and

(cid:1)

European

modification of the FIFG regulation

2004

(cid:1)

National

modification of the FIFG programmes

Increase the range of products and
the stability of supply

Develop
information
production and market

tools

on

Improve public support
national marketing campaigns

to trans-

Strengthen the support to POs and
producers associations

Harmonisation of
organic aquaculture

the rules on

European

(cid:1)

include specific provisions in EU regulation

2092/91

or

2003
2004

Solve the problems of space

European

(cid:1)

Recommendation on Integrated Coastal Zone

2002

Management

(cid:1)

National

implementation of

ICZM strategies and give

priority to appropriate technologies

Private (with European and national financial support using the
existing R&D schemes)

technological development

(cid:1)

Quality labelling, improvement of
aquaculture’s image

National

and private
opportunities

(cid:1)

increase

the use of

existing

Increase integration of small-scale
farms and develop POs

(cid:1)

Private

increase the use of existing opportunities

the

level of

training,
Increase
including for women, in particular
on sustainability issues

(cid:1)

National

consider aquaculture training needs when defining
the European Social Fund programmes

Improve governance in the sector

National

(cid:1)

increase stakeholders participation in aquaculture
policy planning

(cid:1)

Private

develop Codes of Conduct/Codes of Practice and
adhere to the EMAS

24

Assuring the availability to consumers of products that are healthy, safe and of good quality, as well as
promoting high animal health and welfare standards

Guarantee product safety

European

(cid:1)

revision of existing legislation and reinforced

surveillance on antibiotic residues

Ensuring veterinary protection

European

(cid:1)

regular updating and adaptation of the animal
health legislation to developments in the industry,
practical
and scientific knowledge
gained

experience

or

2002
2003

Regular

Modification of

the legislation on veterinary

medicines

2003

(cid:1)

Private

good management practice,
including hygiene
standards and health preventive measures ensuring
the safe and appropriate use of antibiotics

Protect farmed fish welfare

European

(cid:1)

possible EU Directive when necessary for uniform
application of Council of Europe Recommendation
after its adoption

Ensuring an environmentally sound industry

Forecast, monitor and reduce the
environmental
of
aquaculture

impact

European

(cid:1)

examine the possibility for specific criteria and
guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment of
field of
aquaculture. Consider
application of Directives 91/676 and 96/61 to
include intensive fish farming.

extending the

If
necessary

2003

National

(cid:1)

encourage the use of mitigation measures and
facilitate licensing of sites (for cage fallowing) and
building permits (for sedimentation ponds)

(cid:1)

Private

adopt mitigation measures

Minimise escapee problem

European

Reduce the risks associated with
non-indigenous species

European

Transgenic fish

Recognise
the
positive impact of extensive culture

strengthen

and

European

European

(cid:1)

(cid:1)

(cid:1)

(cid:1)

examine the possibility for rules on containment

2004

propose rules on introductions

examine the need for specific legislation

modification of the FIFG regulation

2003

2003

2004

(cid:1)

National

support extensive farming

Private

(cid:1)

labels

25

Research

Identify research priorities that will
contribute
sustainable
to
development of EU aquaculture
industry

European

Improve
the
participation
programmes

financing of

European

and
research

in

(cid:1)

(cid:1)

identified by this Communication

6th Framework Programme

(cid:1)

National

(cid:1)

Private

Modification of the FIFG regulation

increase co-ordination of programmes

increase co-ordination with and between research
institutes

2002

2004

* Expected year of fulfilment of the action.

26