Implementation of the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Regulation in fisheries and aquaculture - Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013
TA-9-2024-0047 · P9_TA(2024)0047 · PE750.124
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Parliament's resolution reviews how Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 on the common market organisation for fishery and aquaculture products has been implemented. It asks for stronger producer organisations, updated marketing standards, better consumer labelling and traceability, and a crisis reserve.¶¶¶ It urges member states to support producer organisations, including small-scale, shellfish and aquaculture ones, and to recognise bodies such as Cofradías and Prud'homie de pêche. It wants marketing standards aligned with environmental and social sustainability.¶¶¶ It calls for clearer labels showing origin, catch area and gear, and for the trade name 'fish' to be reserved for fishery or aquaculture products of animal origin. It welcomes the new Fisheries Control Regulation's traceability rules and CATCH certificate.¶¶¶ It asks the Commission to consider a crisis reserve with storage aid, to improve the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA), and to ensure EU trade policy gives a level playing field with imports.¶¶¶
Key points
- Recalls that the common organisation of the markets (CMO) is part of the common fisheries policy and vital to its objectives.¶
- Considers producer organisations and interbranch organisations the backbone of the sector and says they need more support and financial help, especially where production is fragmented.¶¶
- Welcomes recognition that production and marketing plans are key, and calls on the Commission for updated staff guidance and better market access for all fleet segments.¶
- Urges member states to give administrative and financial support to set up new producer organisations, especially for small-scale coastal fisheries, and to reduce gaps across the EU.¶¶
- Says organisations such as Prud'homie de pêche and Cofradías should be recognised under the CMO Regulation with the same rights and responsibilities as producer organisations.¶¶
- Notes the COVID-19 crisis closed outlets for fresh aquatic food and says storage aid mechanisms should be restored and expanded to aquaculture and mussel farming producer organisations.¶
- Calls for marketing standards for aquatic food placed on the EU market, whatever its origin, to meet harmonised environmental and social sustainability standards, and to be included in trade agreements and regional fisheries management organisation measures.¶
- Calls on the Commission to step up detection of non-compliance and ensure a level playing field in all member states.¶
- Calls for reinforced marketing standards with more label information such as ingredients, geographical fishing area and fishing gear, without adding unnecessary administrative burdens.¶
- Says the trade name 'fish' or 'fish species' should be reserved for fishery or aquaculture products of animal origin, and asks the Commission to revise labelling rules for plant-based imitations.¶
- Notes that around 70 % of seafood consumed in the EU is imported and calls on the Commission and Council to ensure EU trade policy allows a level playing field and promotes consumption of sustainable EU aquatic food products.¶
- Calls on the Commission to consider a crisis reserve or system, including storage aid, with criteria for use, and to improve EUMOFA market intelligence and digital tools.¶¶
Who is affected
- Producer organisations and interbranch organisations: more support, recognition and financing sought for them.¶¶¶
- Small-scale fishers, shellfish gatherers and aquaculture farmers: targeted help and recognition urged.¶
- Member states: urged to provide administrative and financial support and to adapt recognition criteria.¶¶
- Consumers: to get clearer, accurate labelling and information on fishery and aquaculture products.¶¶¶
- Outermost regions: specific market conditions and food self-sufficiency to be taken into account.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- around 70 % of the seafood consumed in the EU is imported from non-EU countries¶
- two years for fresh and frozen products and five years for processed products – transition period for traceability rules¶
- more than three-quarters of respondents to the 2021 Special Eurobarometer 515 consider the date of catch or production should be on the label¶
Legal basis: Article 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union¶