European aquaculture
26.10.2011
Question for oral answer O-000282/2011
to the Commission
Rule 115
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, Sir Graham Watson, Corinne Lepage, Filiz Hakaeva Hyusmenova, Carl Haglund
on behalf of the ALDE Group
European fish resources are up to 90 % overfished, therefore European fish consumption is highly dependent on import from, and fisheries agreements with, third countries. One important solution has been the expansion of aquaculture, within as well as outside the European Union. Today, nearly one in five fish eaten in Europe is raised in aquaculture.
In its proposal for a Reform of the CFP from 13 July 2011, the Commission points to the insufficient development of aquaculture in the Union as one of the main problems of the current CFP, and qualifies aquaculture as a contribution to food security and employment. Nonetheless, in the same proposal the Commission does not provide any mention of the necessity of qualitative criteria with regard to aquaculture.
aquaculture is of shared competence between the Member States and the EU, and
non-binding Union strategic guidelines will form the foundation for multiannual national strategic plans,
how can general qualitative criteria, which take into account the social and ecological impact such as contamination of ground water, be ensured throughout the Union? How can the Commission ensure that Member States do not fall short of Union standards?
Tabled: 26.10.2011
Forwarded: 28.10.2011
Deadline for reply: 4.11.2011