European fish farming: The current position

1. European fish farming:The current position Courtney Hough General Secretary FEAP

2. Role of FEAP within European Aquaculture • 31 National Aquaculture Associations from 22 European States – a unique forum for European fish farming • Member of the EU Advisory Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture (ACFA) • Liaison status with the FAO – EIFAC, GFCM and Global sub-Committee on Aquaculture of the COFI • Participant in important EU RTD projects and actions • First International Association to develop a Code of Conduct for aquaculture • Active in public communication – ‘Aquamedia’

3. Global Fish Farming Development Rest of the World98% (1999)APR = 10.4% EU-152%APR = 7.9%

4. Production of European Fish Farming

5. EU Fish Farming DevelopmentProduction and Value 57,000 tons in 1970 125,000 tons in 1980 300,000 tons in 1990 520,000 tons in 2000 ~10% of EU fisheries landings ~23% of value of EU fisheries

6. Major Producer States in EU PROFESSIONAL FISH FARMING EXISTS INALL EU STATES United Kingdom – 30% - 161,000 tons Greece – 12% - 67,000 tons Italy – 12% - 65,000 tons France – 11% - 60,000 tons Spain – 9% - 48,000 tons Denmark – 7% - 40,000 tons Germany – 7% - 36,000 tons

7. EU Fish Farming – Major Species • Principal species in EU isTrout • Largest growth in mariculture • Salmon, Seabream, Seabass,Turbot • Recent diversification has been of low production and economic importance

8. EU Fish Farming Development trends 6.3% -0.5%

9. Conclusions for EU aquaculture • EU fish farming is an important contributor to the fisheries sector, supplying processors and the consumer with a variety of high quality, safe food products at a reasonable price • EU fish farming has become an important pan-European economic sector, providing jobs in rural and coastal areas and supporting important upstream and downstream activities and services • Overall production growth 6.3% APR, 5.5% less than the global trend over the same period • Overall price trend is negative (-0.5% APR) vs positive global development

10. Conclusions for EU aquaculture markets • Marine sectors developing quickest but hardest hit on prices • Freshwater sector prices more stable but very slow growth or stagnation • Ex-EU ‘High quality’ and processed products exports targeting the ‘developed’ markets of EU • Market competition is very high – supermarkets increasingly control the major market share and concentrate demand

11. Conclusions for EU aquaculture markets • Development (growth) problems • Rapid growth Increased supply from a fragmented SME sector prolonged price instability (e.g. Mediterranean sector) • Discrediting food production has affected aquaculture and prices • The offer must be concentrated, focusing on Producer Organisations • Increased consumer awareness and education on nutrition, quality and health issues are required

12. Observations on EU aquaculture • European fishfarming technology & management are world leaders • European Universities lead global aquaculture research and training requirements • European companies lead supply and consultancy sectors But • Little recognition of the contribution of fish farming in previous Common Fisheries Policies • No specific budget for focused improvement in the 6th Framework Programme • Will the Reformed CFP provide adequate opportunities?

13. EU Legislative « Framework » • Major issues affecting aquaculture and its development • Food safety • Feed components (post BSE, dioxin/PCB…) • Processing conditions (hygiene, materials…) • Contaminants (Diseases, Hg,Cd…, residues…) • Fish Health • Treatment (chemicals, therapeutic agents) • Movement of live fish (zoning, categories) • Welfare (live transport, slaughter…) • Land & Water use • Water Framework Directive • Integrated (Coastal) Zone Management • ‘Habitat’ & ‘Birds’ Directives, Natura 2000

14. Key issues raised by the profession • Sustainable and responsible development of aquaculture must be encouraged • Market stability of prime concern for ALL sectors • Operate within a clear, enabling legislative structure (National) or Policy (European – CFP) • Development based on science as opposed to reaction to hearsay and scare-mongering • Moves towards self-governance and sectoral responsibility should be encouraged • A level playing field within the EU is required for equitable development

15. Key Issues for now and the future • Economic Viability • Stability needed for (re)investment • Sectoral access to marketing and promotion actions • Equitable competition within EU and with imports

16. Key Issues for now and the future • Food Safety • A guarantee for the consumer • Input quality – by suppliers • Traceability (vs. ‘labelling’) • Sustainability • Input/Resource issues (water, feeds…) • Other environmental issues • Human Resources (training, technology…) • Governance – Responsibility • Sectoral acceptability

17. Conclusions • Market will determine success but market stability is the urgent requirement • European Fish Farming (suppliers, producers, processors) assumes its responsibilities as • a major food supplier • a developing sector in a competitive market • a guardian of the environment • an important employer

18. Conclusions • Sustainability will only be obtained by the satisfaction of multiple criteria vs. Short term actions • Coherent European actions are needed for • Improved marketing structures and promotional efforts • Simplified legislation • Simplified licensing procedures • Support for generational change/entry

19. More information on European fish farming…. www.feap.org www.aquamedia.org secretariat@feap.org