PURPOSE: to revise the objectives and instrument of the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products in the context of the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).
LEGISLATIVE ACT : Regulation (EU) n° 1379/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1184/2006 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 104/2000.
CONTENT: the Regulation aims to establish a common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products (CMO) (the products covered by the CMO are listed in Annex I). The CMO will be comprised of the following elements: (i) professional organisations; (b) marketing standards; (c) consumer information; (d) competition rules; (e) market intelligence.
The basic Regulation on CFP provisions and this Regulation on markets in fishery and aquaculture products are tow of the three elements in the legislative package on CFP reform, the third being the Regulation on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
Role of producer organisations: the Regulation reforms the role of producer organisations, which will have less administrative market intervention mechanism at hand. Focus is now given to their own marketing strategies expressed in their production and marketing plans, and a close involvement in the general policy direction, e.g. concerning discard avoidance.
Fishery producer organisations shall pursue the following objectives:
· promoting sustainable fishing activities in full compliance with environmental law, while respecting social policy;
· avoiding and reducing as far as possible unwanted catches of commercial stocks;
· contributing to the traceability of fishery products and access to clear and comprehensive information for consumers;
· contributing to the elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
Producer organisations may contribute to the following objectives: (i) improving the conditions for the placing on the market of their members' products; (ii) stabilising the markets; (iii) promoting high food quality and safety standards; (iv) reducing the environmental impact of fishing.
Detailed rules on the functioning of POs and inter-branch organisations are set out in the text.
Marketing standards: common marketing standards may be laid down for the fishery products regardless of their origin (Union or imported), that are intended for human consumption. The standards may relate to the quality, size, weight, packing, presentation or labelling of the products, and to the minimum marketing sizes, taking into account the best available scientific advice.
All fishery products landed, including those that do not comply with common marketing standards, may be used for purposes other than direct human consumption, including fish meal, fish oil, pet food, food additives, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.
Consumer information: compulsory information for consumers regarding labelling must indicate:
· the commercial designation of the species and its scientific name;
· the production method;
· the area where the product was caught or farmed and the category of fishing gear used;
· whether the product has been defrosted;
· the date of minimum durability, where appropriate.
In addition to the mandatory information required, certain information may be provided on a voluntary basis, including, inter alia, the date of catch, the date of landing or information on the port at which the products were landed, more detailed information on the type of fishing gear, details of the flag State of the vessel that caught those products, environmental information, or information of an ethical or social nature.
Eco-labelling reporting: the Regulation provides that the Commission shall, by 1 January 2015, submit a feasibility report on options for an eco-label scheme for fishery and aquaculture products, and on setting minimum requirements for the use by Member States of a Union eco-label.
The Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the results of the application of the Regulation by 31 December 2022.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 29.12.2013. The Regulation is applicable from 01.01.2014, with the exception of provisions on consumer information which apply from 13.12.2014.