WRITTEN QUESTION E-2284/03 by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission. Environmental standards in aquaculture.
Date: 2003-07-09
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: aquaculture, competition policy, environmental standard, prevention of pollution, third country

C 58 E/154

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

(2004/C 58 E/166)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2284/03

by Elspeth Attwooll (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 July 2003)

Subject: Environmental standards in aquaculture

Does the Commission intend to propose minimum environmental standards for aquaculture in the EU?
If so, will this be accompanied by measures to ensure that such requirements do not place EU fish farmers
at a competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis fish farmers from third countries?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 2003)

Aquaculture is already subject to a number of environmental standards derived from the application of
general environmental law. For example, the Water Framework Directive (1) provides a general framework
for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters which is also applicable to
fish farms located in these waters.

Further to these conditions, and as indicated in the Commission’s Communication regarding ‘A strategy for
the sustainable development of aquaculture’ (2), the Commission will examine whether to include intensive
fish farming into the scope of the IPPC Directive (3). If so, this will require the setting of permit conditions
for fish farms on the basis of best available techniques (BAT). A proposal to extend the scope of the IPPC
Directive would be subject to an impact assessment addressing, inter alia, potential competitivity concerns.

In addition, and with a view to preventing accidental introductions of non-indigenous aquatic species, the
Commission will propose management rules that are consistent with the 1995 International Council for
the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Code of Practice on the Introduction and Transfer of Maríne Organisms.

As far as accompanying measures are concerned, the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG)
established by Regulation 2792/1999 (4) foresees (Annex III, 2.2(d)) a treatment of favour for investments
that reduce environmental impact by reducing the required contribution of private beneficiaries to 30 % of
eligible expenditure in Objective 1 regions and 50 % in other areas, instead of 40 % and 60 % respectively.

(1) Directive 2000/60/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for

Community action in the field of water policy, OJ L 327, 22.12.2000.

(2) COM(2002) 511 final.
(3) Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control,

OJ L 257, 10.10.1996.

(4) 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, OJ L 337, 30.12.1999.

(2004/C 58 E/167)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2285/03

by Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(7 July 2003)

Subject: Counterproductive campaign by the Málaga municipal authority

A campaign to raise public awareness as to the need to recycle household waste, unveiled in early March
2003 by the environmental services unit of the Málaga municipal authority, has provoked fierce criticism
from environmental and conservationist groups. The slogan chosen for the campaign is: ‘Re-use is a thing
of the past. Recycling is the future’.