EU launches consultation on marketing of aquaculture products

A statement from its Maritime Affairs and Fisheries department said: “This public consultation aims to gather input from all relevant stakeholders, including consumers. It provides the opportunity to evaluate and gather feedback on the marketing standards in the fishery and aquaculture sector as a tool to ensure supply of sustainable products to the EU market, fair competition among operators and improved profitability of the fishery sector as well as a level-playing field between EU and imported products.”

“All citizens and the wider stakeholder community are welcome to express their views. We particularly seek contributions from those directly affected, namely: EU Member States’ administrations dealing with marketing standards; producers and processors; importers; retailers and wholesalers; fish auctions; and small and medium enterprises.”

The consultation began on Tuesday and ends on 9 October. Responses can be submitted via an online questionnaire here.

The statement added: “The current marketing standards cover some fresh and chilled products, preserved tuna and bonito and preserved sardines and sardine-like products. EU marketing standards are mandatory requirements along the supply chain (between producers, retailers and potential intermediaries) but they do not reach consumers.

“The current evaluation of EU marketing standards seeks therefore to assess the extent to which the existing marketing standards are still fit for purpose.”