Future of Aquaculture Discussed by Minister Gandalovič and MEPs
One of the Presidency priorities in the area of fisheries is to launch a debate about the future of aquaculture, says Czech Agriculture Minister Gandalovič. He met MEPs from the Fisheries Committee in Brussels on Wednesday.
Minister Petr Gandalovič stressed that aquaculture is an issue concerning all the Member States, whether they engage in freshwater aquaculture, like the Czech Republic, or marine aquaculture. MEPs across the political spectrum agreed with Gandalovič that aquaculture represents the future. “If we are to feed a world of 9-10 billion people in 2050, aquaculture has to be part of a ‘blue revolution”, said Gandalovič.
“However, we have a few issues to address to make aquaculture sustainable and competitive”, he added. The current financial and economic crisis shows that business models of individual companies must be better prepared to deal with such situations. They must be robust and sound. “On the one hand, we face issues of overcapacity, low profit margins and the weak market power of retailers and distribution. On the other hand, we need to invest in research and development. At the same time, we have to provide healthy products, increase consumer awareness and ensure consumer protection. Our production must respect the environment and the consumers should be able to understand it as such”, Gandalovič assessed the imminent challenges.
These and other areas should be dealt with in the European Commission material planned for discussion during the Czech Presidency, to be chaired by Minister Gandalovič. “I expect that the European Commission, on the basis of the results of this discussion, will start work on a long-term strategy of aquaculture development in the EU”, Gandalovič summed up.
Contact:
- Tereza M. Dvořáčková, Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Agriculture
- tel.: +420 221 813 063, GSM: +420 737 213 030; e-mail: tereza.dvorackova@mze.cz
Last update: 16.8.2011 15:51
