| Policies for Aquaculture Development |
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How are Stakeholders Consulted on Policy Issues
The Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Bangkok Declaration of the Conference on Aquaculture in the Third Millennium both highlighted the need for improved cooperation amongst stakeholders if aquaculture is to continue its line of global development. This reflects the average annual percentage growth rate of about 10%, seen over the last decade.
Stakeholder consultation and transparency on policy development are considered as 'buzz' topics on a global scale. While not being a front-page 'hot' topic, it is interesting to know how European stakeholders are consulted on aquaculture in the European Union.
This subject can be seen on 2 levels, National and European, where the first consideration will be that of the National circumstance.
Within most Member States of the European Union, particularly those where professional aquaculture is of importance, professional producers are grouped within local, regional or national Associations.
Local and Regional Associations exist in areas where there are numerous farms within a specific locality or area. They may be species-specific (e.g. trout only) or represent the sector (e.g. a fish farming Association). Their goal is to represent the interests within the community, often having consultation tasks with bodies such as River Authorities (concerning water use) and local councils (for planning and permits). Localised marketing and communication efforts may also be achieved at this level.
Such Associations will usually be organised with a Council (or Board of Directors depending on the Association's constitution), elected from its members.
National Associations may again be species or sector-oriented and are composed of the local/regional Associations where, in most cases, they are organised as a Federation and represented by representatives of their Council.
While the local/regional Associations tend to be more involved with the practical issues of operating an aquaculture business within the local community, the National Association is usually the direct interlocutor with National bodies on affairs that concern the sector throughout the State. This usually concerns aspects of National Legislation that affect the sector and/or the interpretation and effects of European Legislation. The National Associations play an important role in consultation on behalf of their members for the planning and implementation of many aspects of the issues relating to aquaculture. This can range from generic marketing plans (for the sector represented) to legislative consultation and, increasingly, the integration of aquaculture activities into management and economic planning. A prime example of this would be the Integrated Coastal Zone Management plans, achieved on a local basis. Another example is planning for development, with the appropriate authorities, in order to have a well-performing sector.
Since much European legislation focuses on improvement and modernisation, aquaculture may benefit from the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG). This is classically directed to giving assistance for the development and modernisation of aquaculture installations throughout Europe. Since each State has to submit a budgeted action plan, this is normally prepared in consultation with the National Association.
The work of the European Commission and the European Parliament that has contributed to the reform of the CFP also recognised that stakeholders have not been sufficiently involved in policy shaping, a situation that could lead to an undermining of the support for and compliance with policies.
For the first time, prior to the reform of the CFP, the European Commission published a Green Paper on the Future of the CFP and organised a public hearing. The comments and observations of the different stakeholders (from Government bodies, the industry, workers and NGOs…) have provided a significant contribution to the action programme for CFP reform.
Amongst the new measures to be discussed are the increased involvement of stakeholders, particularly social partners, and the creation of Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) for fisheries management. These are part of the decision to encourage effective and participatory decision-making within the CFP.
In 1999, the Directorate General for Fisheries (DG FISH) of the European Commission reformed its Advisory (Consultative) Committee to include representatives of the aquaculture sector and participation of other stakeholders, for example representative Consumer and Environmental Organisations.
For fish and shellfish, the Members of this body and its Working Groups are selected from the recognised European Organisations (the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers, the European Association of Mollusc Producers and the Aquaculture Working Group of the COGECA) that are representative of professional aquaculture. Regular meetings are held for consultation, from those involved in aquaculture, to the Commission on all European matters that affect the sector.
The 'European' Associations that are composed of the National Aquaculture Associations can therefore provide a two-way communication process that can assure effective consultation and dissemination of information.
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