Food fraud involving fish; reducing imports of fish into the EU

7.12.2015

Question for written answer E-015463-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Nicola Caputo (S&D)

The international association Oceana and the University of Louvain have recently performed scientific analyses of 280 samples at 150 restaurants in Brussels, demonstrating that one fish in three which is served does not correspond to its description on the menu. Moreover, according to other research, in Italy and Spain respectively, 32% and 30% of orders culminated in fraud against the consumer.

The availability of fish within the EU is declining, while consumption is rising. As a result, 65% of fish consumed in Europe is imported, with less monitoring of quality and greater health risks.

Thus the level of fraud has become alarming, particularly as regards fish which are already gutted before import and processed foods, because the processing makes it impossible to identify the original species.

1. Will the Commission create a fish tracking system in the EU using DNA barcoding, which will make it possible with certainty to trace a product back to the original species and raw materials from which it is derived?

2. Will the Commission take action by means of sustainable development plans which will alter the percentage of fish imports into the EU?

3. Will the Commission improve monitoring to guarantee the traceability of fish and extend more detailed labelling of fish offered for sale?