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DRAFT REPORT (2023/2049(INI))

On the implementation of the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation in fisheries and aquaculture – Regulation (EU) 1379/2013

PECH-PR-750124

Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Izaskun Bilbao Barandica

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This is a draft report by the Committee on Fisheries on how Regulation (EU) 1379/2013 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products has been implemented. It welcomes progress but says more must be done on consumer information, labelling, market transparency and traceability. It asks the Commission and member states to apply the rules more uniformly, to adapt the criteria for recognising producer organisations, and to make greater use of the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA). It welcomes the planned legislative framework for sustainable food systems and the outcome of the negotiations on the revision of the Fisheries Control Regulation.

Committee position. The rapporteur welcomes progress in implementing the CMO rules but says more efforts are needed on consumer information, labelling, market transparency and traceability. She calls for more uniform implementation by the Commission and member states, adaptation of PO recognition criteria, and greater use of EUMOFA.

Key points

  1. Recalls that the common organisation of the markets (CMO) is part of the common fisheries policy (CFP) and is vital for its objectives.
  2. Notes that the 2013 revision shifted from certain interventions towards a long-term market approach focused on development and innovation.
  3. Considers producer organisations (POs) the backbone of the sector and calls for more support to set up, consolidate and finance them, especially in aquaculture and small-scale fisheries.
  4. Notes that organisations in member states perform PO tasks but cannot qualify as POs, and that the COVID-19 crisis made it opportune to restore storage aid and extend it to aquaculture POs.
  5. Recalls that many marketing standards date from the 1980s and 1990s, that the Commission evaluation found them generally relevant and efficient, and that monitoring by national authorities is relatively low.
  6. Says consumers must receive clear and comprehensive information on products sold in the EU, complying with the same rules regardless of origin, and that traceability and labelling are needed to fight food fraud and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
  7. Notes that mandatory consumer information requirements were not met in some member states and that implementation is uneven, particularly for fishmongers and mass caterers, and that labelling must accurately describe products, including substitutes.
  8. Recalls that POs may be exempted from competition rules under conditions, that this exemption is essential for practices such as controlling quantities to stabilise markets, and that non-recognised collective bodies cannot benefit from it.
  9. Notes that the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA) provides market intelligence, has been online since April 2013, and was used to trigger crisis measures during the COVID pandemic.
  10. Welcomes the Commission's intention to propose a legislative framework for sustainable food systems, provided it does not create extra administrative burden and aligns with EU sustainability rules.
  11. Welcomes the outcome of the negotiations on the revision of the Fisheries Control Regulation, especially stronger traceability rules, and calls on the Commission to ensure the information reaches consumers in a simple, accessible format.
  12. Reiterates its call to adapt the criteria for recognising POs to accommodate organisations such as cofradías and prud'homies de pêche.

Who is affected

  • Producer organisations: they are central to market management, may be exempted from competition rules, and their recognition criteria should be adapted.
  • Small-scale fishers and aquaculture farmers: they lack PO organisation and need more support.
  • Consumers: they should receive clear, comprehensive and trustworthy information on fishery and aquaculture products.
  • Member states: they should apply the CMO rules more uniformly and make greater use of EUMOFA.
  • The Commission: it should propose further action on traceability information reaching consumers.

Figures and deadlines

  • 31 December 2022: deadline for the Commission to report on the application of the Regulation.
  • 21 February 2023: date the Commission adopted its report.
  • two years for fresh and frozen products and five years for processed products: transition period for the revised traceability rules.
  • April 2013: EUMOFA website and database have been online since then.