EN
22.7.2022
Official Journal of the European Union
L 195/1
I (Legislative acts)
REGULATIONS REGULATION (EU) 2022/1278 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 18 July 2022 amending Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 as regards specific measures to alleviate the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on fishing activities and to mitigate the effects of the market disruption caused by that war of aggression on the supply chain of fishery and aquaculture products
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 43(2) and 175 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),
After consulting the Committee of the Regions,
Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (2),
Whereas:
(1)
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine since 24 February 2022 is having an impact on operators in the fishery and aquaculture sector in the Union.
The disruption of trade flows of key commodities for the fishery and aquaculture sector from Russia and Ukraine abruptly intensified the increase in prices of key inputs such as energy and raw materials.
Trade between Ukraine and the Union is also severely affected by the unavailability of transport, as Ukrainian airports have been rendered inoperable because of the Russian attacks and all commercial shipping operations in Ukrainian ports have been suspended.
The current crisis is likely to have serious consequences for the supply of grain, vegetable oils and white fish from Russia and Ukraine to the Union, leading to shortages of key raw materials and to a substantial increase in fish feed prices.
Part of the Union fleet has ceased fishing because of the impossibility of offsetting the increase in input costs such as soaring energy prices and the decrease in profitability of fishing.
The combined impact of the raw material shortages and cost increases is also being felt by the seafood farming and processing sectors.
There is therefore significant market disruption, caused by substantial cost increases, and trade disruptions, requiring effective and efficient action.
(1) Opinion of 18 May 2022 (not yet published in the Official Journal).
(2) Position of the European Parliament of 6 July 2022 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 18 July 2022.