Strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021 to 2030 {SWD(2021) 102 final}

Abstract

The European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy underline the potential of farmed seafood as a source of protein for food and feed with a low-carbon footprint which has an important role to play in helping to build a sustainable food system. The Farm to Fork Strategy also sets specific targets for aquaculture, in particular the reduction of sales of antimicrobials1 and a significant increase in organic aquaculture. Aquaculture creates jobs and economic development opportunities in the EU’s coastal and rural communities. This sector can also help: decarbonise the economy; fight climate change and mitigate its impact; reduce pollution; contribute to better preserving ecosystems (in line with the objectives of the Biodiversity strategy and the Zero-pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment); and be part of a more circular management of resources. A strategic and long-term approach for the sustainable growth of EU aquaculture is therefore more relevant today than ever. This approach should also set the path for the recovery of the EU aquaculture sector in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, and ensure its longer-term sustainability and resilience. The Common Fisheries Policy Regulation3 already called for a coordinated EU strategic approach to support the growth of the EU aquaculture sector while ensuring its economic, environmental and social sustainability. Despite of progress made thanks to the “Open Method of Coordination” laid down by the Regulation as well as EU funding, the aquaculture sector is still far from reaching its full potential in terms of growth and meeting the increasing demand for more sustainable seafood4. The EU imports over 70% of the seafood that it consumes5. Aquaculture products overall (including imports) represent 25% of EU consumption of seafood, while EU aquaculture products represent only 10% of EU consumption. EU aquaculture accounts for less than 2% of global aquaculture production. EU Aquaculture production remains highly concentrated in terms of both EU Member States and species farmed, so there is significant potential for diversification. Aquaculture in the EU, when compared to aquaculture in other countries, is subject to some of the strictest regulatory requirements for quality, health and the environment. But even so, EU aquaculture can still further improve its environmental performance, and thereby contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal and related strategies. This Communication reviews the Commission’s Strategic Guidelines for the sustainable development of EU aquaculture adopted in 20136. These guidelines have been the main 1 According to the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission will ‘take action to reduce overall EU sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture by 50% by 2030’. 2 The Farm to Fork Strategy sets the objective of having ‘at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030 and a significant increase in organic aquaculture’. 3 Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013. 4 A detailed analysis of the economic performance of the EU aquaculture sector produced by the Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) STECF can be consulted at https://stecf.jrc.ec.europa.eu/reports/economic. 5 If we consider exports of EU fisheries and aquaculture products, according to the 2020 report on the EU Fish Market of the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA), the self-sufficiency rate for fisheries and aquaculture products was about 42% in 2018. Self-sufficiency is defined as the capacity of EU Member States to meet demand from their own production, and can be calculated as the ratio of domestic production over domestic consumption. 6 COM (2013)229 final of 29.4.2013. pillar of the strategic coordination of aquaculture policy in the EU. By 2015, on the basis of these guidelines, EU Member States adopted Multi-annual National Strategic Plans (MNSPs) for aquaculture. The implementation of these MNSPs was supported by the exchange of good practices among EU Member States facilitated by the Commission and funding through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and other EU funds. The Commission has invited EU Member States to review their MNSPs taking into consideration consultations on the new guidelines laid down in this Communication. The future European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund7 (EMFAF) will continue to provide support to EU Member States to help implement the strategic vision for the sector, as reflected in those MNSPs and their Operational Programmes, including through local actions.