Debate: Towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector
Date: THURSDAY, 11 MAY 2023
Speaker: Virginijus Sinkevičius
Language: EN

First of all regarding a future regulatory framework in the EU, let me highlight that the EU algae initiative calls on Member States’ authorities to simplify national licensing procedures for algae cultivation. The Commission has already started its work to promote this needed simplification. Creating one—stop shops at Member State level is a simplification that the Commission welcomes and supports. The EU4Algae stakeholder platform is currently working on a licensing toolkit, which will compile general and country—specific information to guide future algae farmers through the licensing process. Before the summer of 2023, the Commission will issue a guidance document on regulatory and administrative procedures in aquaculture as part of the implementation of the EU strategic guidelines for aquaculture. This document will aim at providing concrete recommendations to the EU Member States’ competent authorities to reduce administrative burden and costs on aquaculture operators, including those involved in the farming of algae. Regarding your second question on how the Commission will follow up if Member States do not do not implement the EU algae initiative. So it’s important to emphasise that algae cultivation is part of aquaculture policy and it is consequently a competence of the EU Member States. So the Commission supports and coordinates Member States’ efforts in this area via the open method of coordination. Furthermore, the Commission will prepare by 2027 a progress report of the implementation of the EU algae initiative, and this will be an important opportunity to take stock of the state of play and then of course consider further steps in case more needs to be done to fulfil potential for the sustainable development of the EU algae sector. Regarding the question about funding, I can reassure you that the Commission has encouraged the Member States to include algae in their multiannual national strategic aquaculture plans and their programmes under the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. In addition, the Commission will ensure that algae are satisfactorily covered in the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund measures directly managed by the Commission and in other EU funding instruments – those funding instruments comprise ‘EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters’ under Horizon Europe, the Circular Bio—based Europe Joint Undertaking, the food strand under the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, BlueInvest and others. Last year, the Commission set up the EU4Algae platform that now includes more than 700 stakeholders. And this platform will consolidate information on all available funding opportunities and future open calls for funding to facilitate the access to information and support for the algae sector. Honourable Members, finally I would like to welcome the recently adopted Council conclusions on bioeconomy, which underline the potential of the EU blue bioeconomy, including the algae sector, for creating employment in coastal and rural areas, recovering European seas and freshwater resources and delivering low—carbon—footprint products to the European market. It is in the interest of all of us to see the potential of the algae sector fully developed. So I look forward to our discussions today.