October 12, 2007
Red tape hindering growth of EU's aquaculture industry
The EU's red tape and bureaucracy are pushing the industry towards more lucrative markets in Asia, according to Scottish MEP Struan Stevenson.
Speaking at the 'Developing European Agriculture' conference in Brussels, Stevenson said Europe was losing ground and was missing out on economic opportunities presented by the fast expanding global market for
As wild fish stocks continues to fall, there are now more opportunities for fish farming. Half the world's fish consumption is estimated to be coming from aquaculture presentily, according to the FAO.
Europe used to lead the world in fish farming innovation and technological development, but the multiple agencies EU fish farmers have to deal with and the environmental regulations they have to adhere to have tied down the once dynamic aquaculture sector, he said.
For example, he pointed to the declining Scottish farmed salmon sector, which has lost jobs and marketshare over the years.
Current EU legislation would allow countries like China, Vietnam and Chile to steal ahead of Europe unless there were more flexibility and fewer restrictions, he said.
Although the EU should maintain the current high standards, the regulations should be simplified to allow Europe to tap opportunities in the industry, he said.
