All imported fisheries products should meet the high standards imposed by the EU law, Fisheries MEPs stress in a non-binding resolution adopted on Tuesday. Further control measures need to be implemented by the Commission ensuring the compliance of fisheries and aquaculture products from third countries with EU conservation and management standards and hygiene requirements, say Fisheries MEPs. They also call on the Commission and member states to intensify their efforts to ensure a more harmonized implementation of existing legislations, with the aim to apply in a homogeneous manner the EU law at all stages of the supply chain.
Equal competition: Extending control regulation on imported fisheries products would promote a fairer competition, in a way to avoid a discriminatory market that could adversely affect EU fishers and fish farmers. MEPs suggest to increase and improve controls on fisheries and aquaculture products, ensuring that all products marketed in Europe comply with the same conservation and management measures.
Third countries: At the same time, this equal treatment would help third countries in raising high standards for a sustainable exploitation of marine resources, by respecting the requirements and conditions that apply to EU production, says the text. It also calls on the Commission to ensure a close coordination between the Union’s trade and fisheries policies, including during the negotiation of trade agreements with third countries involving fisheries matters.
Next steps: The non-legislative resolution drafted by Engström Linnéa (Greens/EFA, SV) was adopted by 17 votes to 3 against with 3 abstentions. It will be put to the plenary vote in May II session (tbc).
Background: The EU is the world’s largest market for fisheries and aquaculture absorbing 24% of total global imports in 2016. EU Member States depend on imports for over 60% of their total consumption.