(Freshwater Fish Commission)

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers Fresh Water Commission rejects the proposed listing of the disease Spring Viraemia of Carp (SVC), within annex III of part II of the proposed Directive on Aquatic Animal Health, as a “non-exotic disease”.

SVC does not fulfil the criteria for listing diseases in this annex. Such a listing of SVC would impose extremely high expense for the authorities and for the fish farmers within Europe.

THE USE OF CARP PITUITARY GLAND EXTRACTS FOR THE ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF FRESHWATER FISH SPECIES

(Freshwater Fish Commission)

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers is extremely concerned that European authorities consider that carp pituitary gland extracts may be considered as an artificial medicine. The induction of synchronised ovulation of female freshwater fish species – particularly carps – is an essential process of the farming activity and it is only used for propagation.

This natural product is obtained from harvested carp at fish processing factories and since the quantities of active ingredients is highly variable, it would be difficult – if not impossible – to obtain an ordinary licence for use.

There is no artificial product on the market with the same efficacy.

Without the licence for using this material, inland pond aquaculture within Europe will not be able to work correctly and efficiently. It is proposed that the National Associations of the member status concerned (Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Netherlands etc.) should contact their national authorities (Food Safety Offices) with a view to establishing an international working group, including veterinary specialists, that would examine the impact of use of carp pituitary gland extracts for aquaculture production.

A clear position is required from the authorities concerning the application of this material within European aquaculture.

THE NEED FOR A EUROPEAN CONTROL PROGRAMME FOR THE CORMORANT (PHALACROCORAX CARBO)

(Freshwater Fish Commission)

The population of the cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) continues to grow throughout Europe and its current population in Europe is estimated to be about 1 million individuals.

Such a large population is causing irreversible damage to the environment, to native bird populations and to native fish populations in the natural waters of Europe. Individual Member States have not been able to regulate the population of this bird, whose control is complicated by its migratory habits.

It is the opinion of the FEAP that the currently accepted methods of control are not effective and that more successful results would be obtained at the nesting areas.

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers proposes that a specific and effective European control programme be developed and agreed for this species.

RESOLUTION 4

THE REGULATION OF EEL FISHING WITHIN EUROPE AND THE INDIVIDUAL MANAGEMENT PLAN PER MEMBER STATE

(Freshwater Fish Commission)

Under the current proposition concerning the regulation of eel fishing within Europe, each Member State should provide its own individual Management Plan by 30th June 2007.

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers is extremely concerned that the plans and actions on eel fisheries in Europe are being proposed without adequate scientific knowledge.

The regulation must not come into force until the EU decision makers have the scientific knowledge about the condition of the European eel stock. A research program on the quantity of migrating glass eel and the mass of migrating adults should be instigated as soon as possible.

Any actions that are initiated must be coordinated throughout Europe with appropriate scientific and management follow-up.

RESOLUTION 5

THE AVAILABILITY OF VETERINARY MEDICINES IN EUROPE

(Fish Health and Hygiene Commission)

The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers, with the aim of evaluating throughout European States the actual situation regarding the necessary availability of veterinary medicines to secure fish health and welfare, highlights the following points:

New Community registration procedures for medicines have resulted in a position where these are too expensive to be paid for by the aquaculture sector, leading to the following situation:

• A lack of interest from pharmaceutical companies;
• The wide availability, at low cost, of many principle active compounds but for which no licensing dossier is available;
• Not all aquaculture species can be included within MUMS (Minor UsesIMinor Species) and, therefore, cannot be the object of facilitation within the licensing process of medicines that are needed by the sector.

With reference to these afore-mentioned issues, the FEAP requests consideration of the following opinions:

• There is a need for a European review of the status of implementation, at the level of the Member States, of the EC Directives 2001182 and 2004128 on the licensing of veterinary medicines;
• Discussion is needed with DG Enterprise on the involvement of the pharmaceutical companies that are Lpecialised in aquaculture VMPs;
• A more direct 'information" channel is required between the aquaculture sector and the EMEA on MUMS-related issues.

These issues and recommendations form the basis of an argument for the creation of a Working Group on the availability of veterinary medicines for aquaculture that could include representatives from DG Fish, DG Sanco and DG Enterprise, and stakeholders from the production and the pharmaceutical industry.