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Resolutions Voted by
the General Assembly of the F.E.A.P
(Seville, May 1997)
The following Resolutions were presented by the respective Commission Chairmen of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers to the Assembly at the occasion of the 29th Annual General Assembly of the F.E.A.P. held in Seville in Spain.
The responses that were communicated to the FEAP,
by the relevant services of the Commission of the EU, follow each Resolution.
 Restoration of stocks through aquaculture
Natural stocks of European ( anguilla)
Viability of aquaculture in rural and coastal zones
Research on aquaculture diseases
Costs of environmental
RESOLUTION 1
RESTORATION OF FISH STOCKS THROUGH AQUACULTURE
The F.E.A.P. has considered the positive aspects of aquaculture for the restoration of endangered fish stocks and for protection. It believes that rapidly-developing fish farming technology provides an important tool for 'ex-situ' protection of such and stocks. The fish which emanate from established genetic management regimes can enable the effective of material to support depleted or endangered populations as well as to be able to reintroduce locally extinct species.
As such, aquaculture should be supported by National Governments in Europe as a crucial tool in future fisheries management.
Response:
The benefits of technological developments in aquaculture, where the EU is generally at the leading edge, can be positively applied to the restoration of endangered fish stocks and for species protection. This is important in regard to the of biodiversity and the necessity to pay careful attention to the use of genetic resources. An example of aquaculture techniques being used for species protection can be seen in areas such as the of fish to restock coral reserves. On the other hand there is a long history of unsuccessful or inconclusive attempts at increasing fish resources through release of hatchery reared juveniles, without applying scientifically rigorous follow-up procedures.
In the EU commercial marine fisheries context, the use of aquaculture technology for is not a substitute for rehabilitation or making unpopular management decisions regarding effort in the fishing industry. For most species a decrease in fishing effort, or an increase in age of first capture, will prove more efficient for increasing the than a restocking programme.
In using hatchery fish for restocking it is important to remember that the release of large numbers of cultured fish has the potential to modify ecosystems both by altering the ecological equilibrium and the genetic constitution of wild fish. This implies that released fish should be as similar as possible, genetically, to those in the wild.
In the case of and in the Mediterranean, farmed and wild stocks are still very close genetically and these fish could be restocked without causing damage if it was economic to do so. This is not the case for , where restocking with stocks selectively bred for aquaculture is not now recommended. At the symposium organised in Bath in April 1997 by NASCO and ICES entitled "Interactions between salmon and wild stocks of Atlantic salmon: the scientific and management issues," concerns were expressed that spawning between cultured fish (farm escapees and ranched fish) and might result in damage to or the collapse of the wild stocks. It was suggested at this meeting that additional measures are needed to improve the of farmed salmon either through improvements to physical security or through wide use of salmon in farming.
The Commission is conscious that should not be used as a general model for the conservation and utilisation of genetic resources. Because they home so precisely to spawn, sub-populations can be greatly differentiated and adapted to local conditions. Most marine fish do not home as precisely and do not have such genetically differentiated sub-populations, have wider egg and larval distribution than salmon and their life histories are less complex. Protocols for conservation of biodiversity in aquatic have been drawn up by the F.A.O., (Bartley, D.: Marine and coastal area hatchery enhancement programmes: Food security and conservation of biological diversity, Kyoto confÈrence on sustainable contribution of fisheries to food security, 1995) and if these general principles are followed aquaculture techniques can be used, while at the same time protecting wild resources. 
RESOLUTION 2
NATURAL STOCKS OF EUROPEAN EEL
The F.E.A.P. considers that the natural stocks of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) are a European treasure that needs to be preserved for future generations.
It has been demonstrated that the natural stocks have been depleted and that the continuation of over-fishing will cause the level of these stocks to become below sustainable levels in the near future.
For the above reasons, the F.E.A.P. strongly endorses the document of the European eel producers: "Observations on the recent trends in fisheries and farming of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.).
Response:
The DG XIV services are examining this Resolution and the document on the situation regarding glass eel fishing and eel farming of the European eel, submitted on behalf of European eel farmers by Mr Christian Graver, with a view to seeing what action, if any, can be taken in this area. A more detailed response on this Resolution will follow in the autumn.
The report on a two-year concerted action to enhance the European eel fishery and to ensure the survival of the species, funded under the research progranune (AIR 3-CT94-1939) and involving scientists in nine Member States, is due to be finalised by 30th September 1997. The report is being studied in the context of this Resolution.
The situation regarding the decline in glass eel in the European Union is a matter of concern but one must consider whether this is sufficient reason to restrict the fishery. Going beyond the ecological questions it is clear that there is a major trade aspect to this whole question, arising from the sharp rise in demand for young European eels over the past four years to supply eel farms in Asia. While being conscious of the impact this is having on the eel on-growing industry in the Community, the Commission services have to comply with numerous and complex obligations arising out of the agreements now covered by the W.T.O..
The 1996 proposal from Monaco to have the European eel in the Mediterranean placed in Appendix III (protected fauna species) of the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats is to be considered at the December 1997 meeting of the Bern Convention Standing Committee. This was considered at a Council environmental working group meeting in July 1997 and Member States have been asked to submit written comments on this and related proposals by mid-September.
RESOLUTION 3
VIABILITY OF AQUACULTURE IN RURAL AND COASTAL ZONES
The F.E.A.P. considers that aquaculture contributes significantly to the social and economic infrastructure of rural communities in Europe. The Member Producers' Associations of the Federatino believe that the drop in market prices of the products of the professional aquaculture sector, which for many species are currently below the costs of production, poses a real threat to the viability of small fish farms, thus falsifying the initial spirit of intervention by the European community in the development of the aquaculture sector.
F.E.A.P. urges all European National Governments and the Commission of the EU to alleviate entry and viability barriers, posed either through legislation and taxation; and to protect the quality of products for the European by the restriction of imports from third countries which do not comply with EU Directives thus elevating importance of aquaculture in the fisheries sector.
Response:
The Commission services are proceeding with an initiative to simplify the veterinary legislation for products of animal origin and FEAP has had the opportunity of commenting on the second consultation document which has been circulated as part of this process. In this context, the proposal to integrate Council Directives 92/492/EEC and 92/493/EEC into a single Directive covering the production, marketing and importation of all products of animal origin intended for human consumption stands. At the inter-service consultation stage DG XIV will request that there should be no unnecessary duplication of control measures applying to the aquaculture sector. The content of the FEAP Resolution has been noted in this context.
RESOLUTION 4
RESEARCH ON AQUACULTURE DISEASES
The F.E.A.P. considers that the Mediterranean aquaculture producers should be supported by research activities that would assist the production of fish of good health and quality.
The F.E.A.P. strongly endorses the research proposal put forward regarding the nodavirus of European sea bass, compiled by three renowned European research institutions, for financial support by the Commission of the EU.
Response:
Community research under the Fourth Framework Programme has placed a high priority on research activities in the area of diseases affecting aquaculture. A total of 12 projects concerning fish diseases received funding under the AIR programme, several of which had a Mediterranean focus and the areas of fish health and quality continues to receive priority funding under the FAIR programme.
The Commission funded an inquiry into Nodavirus in 1995/96. Regrettably, the FAIR application which followed in 1996 was given a D rating by external scientific evaluators which meant it could not be awarded research funding. The revised application received a rating in the 1997 evaluation. The FAIR Programme Committee at its meeting of 23/7/97 confirmed the projects to be funded this year. Because of the level of for funds, no C rated projects were funded, and a number of B and even B+ rated projects were likewise unsuccessful.
RESOLUTION 5
COSTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING
The F.E.A.P., at its Annual General Assembly in Seville on the 3rd of May 1997, unanimously agreed to request the Commission the Commission of the EC to review urgently the implementation of EC Directives 293/91 and 292/91 as they apply to the aquaculture industry throughout the EU.
It is clear that without change, proposals will place an unnecessary and uneconomic burden on the European aquaculture industry. Specifically, F.E.A.P. proposes that:
- Environmental monitoring carried out by the Governments of EU Member States should be utilised in the product monitoring schemes and which it is proposed will include monitoring for aquatic contamination at the final product level.
- F.E.A.P. wishes to bring to the Commission's attention that environmental monitoring at source is a more secure preventative measure than product monitoring later in the food product chain.
- The list of products to be screened should be reviewed to include only those substances which might feasibly be utilised within the aquaculture industry and not those which are only relevant to terrestrial farm animals as is currently proposed.
- The Commission should ensure that, where aquaculture quality schemes meet the EN 45011 Standard, the monitoring procedures incorporated in such programs should be fully utilised in the overall monitoring scheme and that the participants in such schemes are not required to incur double costs for duplicate monitoring.
- The Commission should make clear to EU Member States those parts of the monitoring procedures which can be satisfied through incorporation of
- EU Member States Environmental Monitoring and
- EN 45011 Quality schemes, product and processing monitoring procedures.
Response:
The Commission is conscious of the important contribution made by aquaculture to rural and coastal communities throughout the EU and, for this reason, continues to support the structural development of aquaculture in the current programming period for structural funds, 1994-1999, at an average level of 55 MECU per year. Member States also provide a public contribution as required under the FIFG rules.
Low prices for salmon and in the Community are directly linked to the dumping of Norwegian salmon. In June, the Commission agreed with the Norwegian authorities a package of measures to counteract the dumping and subsidisation of Norwegian salmon on the European market and alleviate the damage caused to EU salmon producers in the process, including a floor price for Norwegian exports, the prospect of stand-by dumping duties, an indicative export volume ceiling, an increased Norwegian export tax and tight enforcement procedures. This should also have a beneficial effect for Community trout producers.
The price increase of 9% for sea bass and sea bream reported by the Greek aquaculture industry earlier this year following seven years of continuous decline in parallel with growing production is another encouraging on the market .
As you know the Commission is currently funding the first "European Fish Campaign" which is scheduled to continue throughout 1997. This is being financed by the FIFG up to ECU 1.7 million and aims to convey the message that fish is a nourishing, healthy food, easily prepared and good value for money. Overall the FIFG has ECU 84 million available for measures to promote fishery and aquaculture products during the period 1994-99, to be managed directly by the Member States in accordance with the principle of partnership inherent in the EU Structural Funds.
While EU policy favours the development of aquaculture, as witnessed by current support through the Structural Funds and financial support going back to 1991, Member States are free to determine the priority to be given to aquaculture development, especially in areas such as taxation policy.
The Commission is committed to a high level of consumer protection in the food area and this applies to fish produced in the EU and equally to imports. A newly strengthened DG XXIV, renamed "Consumer Policy and Consumer Health Protection", has the task of developing consumer policy and contributing to consumer health protection and food safety at the level of the EU. Its inspection service will ensure that fish which does not meet EU sanitary criteria does not gain access to Community markets.
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