The role of social, economic and environmental standards in safeguarding fair competition for all aquatic food products and improving food security

✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 18 Sept 2026

Parliament's resolution on social, economic and environmental standards in aquatic food products calls for fair competition and stronger EU food security. It asks the Commission to improve the Common Fisheries Policy framework, labelling, import controls and trade rules, and to support aquaculture, small-scale fishers and outermost regions.¶¶¶ It demands equal treatment of imported products, mirror measures in trade agreements, full use of IUU fishing tools, and a European blue food action plan by the end of 2026.¶¶¶ It calls for ring-fenced funding in the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework, rejecting a proposed 67 % cut, and for fleet renewal, better working conditions and training.¶¶¶

Key points

Stresses that fisheries and aquaculture are vital for EU food supply, sovereignty and security, and calls on the Commission to give them more prominence in its future 'vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture'.¶
Calls on the EU to support domestic production of aquatic food, raise awareness of its benefits and promote responsible consumption and reduced food waste.¶¶
Calls on the Commission and Council to attach greater importance to fisheries' contribution to food security and to assess the economic and social impact of measures so they do not create barriers or undue advantage for imports.¶
Insists that the evaluation and possible revision of the Common Fisheries Policy and the common market organisation should improve the regulatory framework, simplify rules and reduce administrative burden.¶¶
Believes socio-economic factors and food supply availability should be considered equally with environmental sustainability, and calls for coherent alignment of fisheries, cohesion, social, education, trade, technology, science, development, health and environmental policies.¶
Stresses that Member States must use transparent and objective criteria, including environmental, social and economic ones, when allocating fishing opportunities, and calls for multiannual total allowable catches set in line with scientific advice.¶
Requests improved consumer information and new mandatory labelling requirements for all fishery and aquaculture products, including imports and the HORECA sector, covering sustainability, origin and fishing gear.¶¶
Urges the Commission to draw up a European blue food action plan by the end of 2026 and to support a voluntary 'EU aquatic food product' label and an EU-wide awareness campaign in 2027.¶¶
Considers it crucial to reinforce and harmonise Member States' import controls, customs rules and sanctions, and calls for support to fisheries inspectorates, customs and port authorities.¶¶
Calls for increased sanctions on Russia and further restrictions on imports of all aquatic food, especially cod and Alaska pollock, including when reprocessed or repackaged in non-EU countries.¶
Calls on the Commission to ensure non-EU countries' products meet equivalent standards, to introduce mirror measures in trade agreements, and to fully implement rules against forced labour and IUU fishing.¶¶¶
Calls for stronger action against IUU fishing, including use of the carding system, international tools and regional fisheries management organisations, and for boosting EU aquaculture and improving working conditions, training and funding.¶¶¶

Who is affected

EU fishers, aquaculture producers and shellfish gatherers, who would benefit from fairer competition and support.¶¶¶
Non-EU countries exporting aquatic products to the EU, which would face equivalent standards and stricter controls.¶¶¶
Consumers, who would receive clearer labelling and information on aquatic food products.¶¶
Coastal, island and outermost regions, which would receive targeted support and infrastructure investment.¶¶
Women and young people in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, who would benefit from equality and employment measures.¶

Figures and deadlines

around 70 % — EU dependence on aquatic food imports¶
70 280 vessels — EU fishing fleet in 2023¶
53 260 — vessels still active in 2025¶
119 479 fishers — engaged crew, corresponding to 73 974 full-time equivalents¶
3,39 million tonnes of seafood valued at EUR 6,1 billion — landed in 2023¶
EUR 6,47 billion — revenue in 2023, a decrease of 10,6 %¶
EUR 59 million — net profit in 2023, down 61 % from 2022¶
32 years — average age of the EU fleet¶

Legal basis: Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.