(Salmon & Large Trout Commission)

In complying with, and in many cases exceeding, the feed and fish health regulations of the European Community, the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers is extremely concerned that imports from 3rd countries do not meet and, in a number of cases, fall far short of those standards.

Accordingly FEAP requests the European Commission [DG SANCO] and EU Member States to increase both the scope and frequency of the analysis of fish imports from 3rd countries to ensure that

•    the European consumer is properly protected and
•    the excellent reputation of fish farmed in the European Community is not compromised.

 

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers and its Member Associations are prepared to provide DG SANCO with advice as to where such increased scrutiny should be concentrated.

ACTIONS TO PREVENT INFECTIONS BY THE KOI HERPES VIRUS

(Freshwater Fish Commission)

The Koi Herpes Virus (KHV) is an emerging disease that has the potential to seriously affect both indigenous and farmed stocks of European carp. Infection and serious losses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and ornamental Koi carps have been reported from many Member States.

Unfortunately KHV is not included in the list of notifiable fish diseases of the relevant Community Legislation. The further spread of this serious disease could cause catastrophic losses for carp aquaculture and indigenous stocks throughout Europe.

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers requests that immediate action be taken to include KHV in the list of notifiable diseases, providing a basic precondition for the prevention of infection of farmed and natural stocks of common and farmed carp.

A PAN-EUROPEAN QUALITY ASSURANCE SCHEME FOR EUROPEAN TROUT

(Portion Trout Commission)

The Trout Commission of the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers considers that a working group should be established in order to investigate the opportunities for and the potential structure of a quality assurance scheme and common standards for trout produced in the European Community.

RESOLUTION 4

THE MARKET FOR TROUT IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

(Portion Trout Commission)

The volume of trout produced throughout Europehas decreased in recent years, although this production sector remains technically sustainable and where public demand for trout has continued to be strong.

This drop in production is due to continuing low ex-farm prices, giving long-term economic unsustainability. Therefore, the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers recognizes that the price of trout is now no longer sensitive to fluctuations in market supply and demand.

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers recognises that it is the structure of the main retail market for trout in the European Community that has established and maintained an ex-farm price for trout that is too low to be sustainable for aquaculture producers.

RESOLUTION 5

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR FISH HEALTH IMPROVEMENT IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

(Marketing & Promotion Commission)

In consideration of:

•            the importance of the aquaculture industry established in Europe

•           the future potential of aquaculture for the European Community

•           the significance of fish health management to the future of the European aquaculture sector

the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers requests that the European Fisheries Fund provide adequate financial assistance for the implementation of fish health control strategies, including eradication and vaccination programmes, within Europe for fish diseases of importance to the European Industry, in addition to the exotic diseases identified in “List I”, so as to support, safeguard and improve the fish health status of European aquaculture.