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OPINION (COM(2022)0453 – C90307/2022 – 2022/0269(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market

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Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Rosa D'Amato

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The Committee on Fisheries gives its opinion on the proposed regulation banning products made with forced labour from the Union market. It supports the regulation and proposes amendments to strengthen it. The opinion asks for a centralised complaint mechanism letting citizens and stakeholders complain directly to the Commission, which can assign or assess complaints and launch investigations. It calls for a mechanism to cooperate with high-risk and non-cooperating third countries, building on the IUU fishing carding system, and for remediation with civil society, trade unions and workers. It asks for more transparency, data collection and reporting by member states and the Commission on how the regulation is applied. The amendments extend the rules to packaging, storage, transport and distribution, add fisheries references, and set a 30 working day deadline for authorities to decide on violations.

Committee position. The Committee on Fisheries supports the regulation and proposes amendments to strengthen it, including a centralised complaint mechanism, cooperation with non-cooperating countries, remediation, transparency and reporting, and fisheries-specific provisions.

Key points

  1. The opinion notes that 128,000 fishers are in forced labour worldwide, that abuses often go unnoticed in remote fisheries, and that they are linked to IUU fishing.
  2. It states the EU imports 68.6% of its seafood, that the Asia Pacific region has the largest share of labour abuse victims at 15.1 million, and that most member states have not ratified ILO Convention C188.
  3. It supports the regulation as key to ensuring EU seafood consumption does not contribute to forced labour, and says the EU must promote ratification of international instruments.
  4. It proposes a centralised complaint mechanism so stakeholders and citizens can complain directly to the Commission, which can assign complaints to national authorities or assess them itself, with both able to launch investigations.
  5. It suggests a mechanism to foster cooperation with high-risk countries, building on the IUU Fishing Regulation carding system, to tackle root causes and avoid disengagement.
  6. It says remediation is essential and should be established with civil society, trade unions and other stakeholders, with workers involved at every stage.
  7. It asks for increased transparency through more data, and for member states and the Commission to report on the regulation's application and publish the information.
  8. Amendments add references to fisheries and processing, state that forced labour undermines Common Fisheries Policy objectives, and link forced labour to IUU fishing and non-cooperating countries.
  9. Amendments extend the prohibition to packaging, transportation and distribution, and require products to be donated, recycled or disposed of following a cascading principle.
  10. Amendments add a new chapter on identifying non-cooperating third countries, with the Commission able to adopt trade measures after notification, and require a database of forced labour risks.
  11. Amendments set a 30 working day deadline for competent authorities to establish whether Article 3 has been violated, and let them request information from third countries and EU diplomatic representations.
  12. Amendments require member states to report data every two years and the Commission to evaluate the regulation every five years, and set up a Union Network Against Forced Labour led by the Commission.

Who is affected

  • Economic operators: banned from placing on the Union market or exporting products made with forced labour, including from IUU fishing.
  • Fisheries sector: amendments add fisheries-specific references, including to the database and network cooperation on IUU fishing and traceability.
  • Member states: must report data on the regulation's application every two years and ensure competent authorities have resources.
  • Third countries: the Commission can identify non-cooperating countries and adopt trade measures after notification.
  • Customs authorities: must suspend release or export of products suspected of violating the regulation and ensure donation, recycling or disposal.

Figures and deadlines

  • 128,000 fishers in forced labour worldwide, according to the ILO.
  • 15.1 million estimated labour abuse victims in the Asia Pacific region.
  • 68.6% of EU seafood consumption is imported.
  • About 27.6 million people were in forced labour in 2021.
  • Only eight member states have ratified ILO Convention C188; nineteen have not.
  • Competent authorities must establish whether Article 3 was violated within 30 working days from initiating the investigation.
  • The database must be publicly available at the latest 24 months after entry into force.
  • Member states must transmit data by 30 April of the following calendar year every two years.