The European Union's member states imports 70 % of all the aquatic food they consumes, this causes an annual trade deficit of 21 billion euro. According to the European Parliament's resolution, the EU aquaculture sector has great potential, but "its development will require a transparent and reliable legal framework and economic predictability to be provided by the European Commission and EU member states".

“We draw attention of the Member States and the European Commission to the main problems that the aquaculture sector is facing right now. The growth potential of the sector will only be developed in a predictable, streamlined and business-friendly framework". Said Clara Aguilera, rapporteur of the resolution.

EU aquaculture can contribute to food supply and food security by rebalancing the fish gap, providing sustainable and quality food products with a smaller environmental footprint than land-based farming thus supporting the objectives of the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies of reaching a carbon-neutreal continent by 2050. The EU Parliament also highlights socioeconomic opportunities associated with aquaculture development, especially in the coastal regions and rural areas. Marine, as well as freshwater aquaculture, can create new regional ecosystems providing employment opportunities and attracting young people.

MEPs call on the European Commission to set up quantitative growth objectives to motivate sector development and emphasize that the Commission and member states should make full use of the resources in the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) (that for the period 2021-2027 has an overall budget of €6.108 billion to promote growth and job-based recovery) and to dedicate part of the Recovery and Resilience Facility to support innovation and resilience of the EU aquaculture sector.

Links

European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund

Text of the resolution "Striving for a sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture: the way forward"