The document discusses factors that hinder the development of sustainable aquaculture in the EU and the role of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) in promoting aquaculture. It notes that while the EU has placed high priority on aquaculture, local authorities prioritize environmental compliance over industry development. Additionally, the complexity of EMFF administration and delays in funding have discouraged investment. It argues that continued support beyond EMFF is still needed to promote innovation, environmental performance, training, and the effective operation of Producer Organizations and Producer Marketing Plans.

1. The EMFF and the enabling
factors for the development of a
sustainable aquaculture in the EU
Javier Ojeda
APROMAR
Spanish Aquaculture Producers’ Association
EMFF Stakeholders' conference (12-13/Oct/2017. Tallinn)
Beyond 2020: Supporting Europe’s Coastal Communities
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2. o Since 1986
o Projects (Quality, RTD, Best Practice, Environmental, Workers safety, Training, …)
o Communication & promotion campaigns
o Participation in ACFA / AAC
o Collaboration with European Parliament and ESEC
o Collective actions: PMPs (CMO)
APROMAR’s experience in the sustainable development of
aquaculture in the EU
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3. o Complexity of administrative procedures. Slow, complex and
uncertain. This situation prevents the development of the industry and
discourages investment.
o Communication and promotion. Need to overcome reputational issues
on environment, quality and food safety. Image problem with no major
underlying facts.
o Information to consumers. Deficiencies in this information make
differences between European aquaculture products and those of 3rd
countries (very) difficult to spot for EU consumers (in quality,
environmental footprint, social issues and respect for animal welfare).
o Availability of veterinary products. Urgent need to promote extra
scientific research, the existence of a genuine single market for
veterinary products and simplification of their autorization.
o Levelling of the Playing Field. Need to pursue similar obligations for
all products placed on the EU market (traceability, environmental, social).
(Main) Factors that hinder the development of aquaculture
in the EU
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4. o The EU institutions have placed aquaculture high in their policies
(CFP, CMO, EMFF). But local and regional authorities have aquaculture
(very) low in their agendas. The latter are not concerned about EU food
security, real sustainability (x3) or efficient resource use.
 Their main concern is to keep themselves well on the safe side of the
application of EU environmental legislation, making them act over
precautionarily.
o Financial support (alone) cannot overcome the factors that hinder
the development of the aquaculture industry.
o But there is no doubt that FIFG & EFF have enhanced a more
competitive EU aquaculture industry, environmentally
sustainable and resource efficient. This might not be applicable to
all EFF axis/chapters (read European Court of Auditors reports).
o The EMFF should (theoretically) have a positive effect on EU
aquaculture.
The role of public authorities and support schemes in
promoting the sustainable development of EU aquaculture
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5. Certainly not!
o EMFF hasn’t started to be available till late 2016. And still today (end
of 2017!) it is not fully available in countries like France, Italy, Spain or
Greece.
• Eligibility of expenditures is not always clear.
• The complexity of administrative procedures discourages investment.
• IT problems (managing EMFF) in several MS.
• Investments done through 2014-17 have lost their chances of funding.
• Absolutely no money yet for POs (PMPs), but w/ obligations since 2014.
o Heavily indebted countries are going to deliver an underperforming
EMFF that will not reach expectations and disappoint the industry, loosing
faith in the CFP and the CMO.
o The expected key role of POs to achieve the CFP objectives hasn’t
been given a chance to arrive.
• PMPs are not being funded (even investments from 2014, 15 & 16).
• The industry is loosing trust in the value of POs and PMPs.
Is the EMFF working?
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6. Keep pushing to promote EU aquaculture!
o Continue supporting sustainable aquaculture beyond EMFF:
mainly through Grants, but also Financial Instruments, for all types of
aquaculture on:
• Innovation, quality & modernisation.
• Environmental performance.
• Communication to society, promotion and marketing.
• Fish health.
• Lifelong training.
o Favour the operation of POs:
• Empower the most interesting tool of the CFP/CMO & make them
responsible to achieve the objectives of the CFP.
• Value of collective activities.
• Production coordination and best practice.
• Market intelligence.
• Transnational cooperation.
o Implement an efficient system to fund POs for effective PMPs!
What beyond 2020?
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7. The EMFF and the enabling
factors for the development of a
sustainable aquaculture in the EU
Thanks for your attention.
Javier Ojeda
APROMAR
Spanish Aquaculture Producer’s Association
ojeda@apromar.es
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