In relation to fisheries and aquaculture products, there are some very particular challenges.

Imports of fishery and aquaculture products have increased enormously, but that increase has been necessary.

This will mean that better account is taken of the specific characteristics of fishery and aquaculture products.

As a result, among other things, of the rise in imported fishery and aquaculture products on the European market, that sector is becoming increasingly fragile.

There are major challenges involved in regulating the import of fishery and aquaculture products into the EU.

We are dealing first of all with the reform of the common organisation of the market in the fisheries and aquaculture products sector.

Imports of fishery and aquaculture products from third countries account for more than 60% of EU consumption.

Madam President, we voted in committee on the reform of the common organisation of the market in fishery and aquaculture products.

This report is about the importing of fisheries and aquaculture products by the EU and the conditions under which it should take place.

These relate to measures for the conservation, management, exploitation, monitoring and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products in the Mediterranean.

Madam President, the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products is one of the most important elements of the common fisheries policy.

The EU must make efforts to sustainably increase fish production from aquaculture so as to reduce imports in the fishery and aquaculture products sector.

Arrangements for importing fishery and aquaculture products into the EU with a view to the future reform of the CFP (debate)

This proposal on the common organisation of the markets in fisheries and aquaculture products is of central importance for the common fisheries policy in the European Union.

(PT) Mr President, Commissioner, Europe is currently the biggest European market for fishery and aquaculture products, importing approximately 60% of fish consumed.

For this reason I am particularly glad that a sustainable aquaculture policy has been advocated, so as to reduce dependence on imports in the fishery and aquaculture products sector.

We all acknowledge that the EU is strongly dependent on imported fishery and aquaculture products to satisfy its market demands, represented not only by consumers, but also by the processing industry.

Of course, it is now time to regulate the issue of importing fishery and aquaculture products, as the EU is currently the largest market for these products in the world.

Ladies and gentlemen, has the European Commission not taken the time to read my report on the origin of imports of fishery and aquaculture products in the European Union?

It is therefore necessary for fishery and aquaculture products that are imported by the European Union to fulfil the same environmental, social, health and quality standards as those imposed on EU products.

The Commission takes due note of the draft report's call for the responsibility for the negotiation of fishery and aquaculture products to be transferred from the Trade Commissioner to the Fisheries Commissioner.

As for imports, we must guarantee that the European market in fishery and aquaculture products does not suffer unfair competition as a result of less strict health and social conditions and ludicrously low tariffs.

Thirdly, we call for the responsibility for conducting trade talks on fishery and aquaculture products to be transferred from the Trade Commissioner to the Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

However, the contradiction comes that, as we seek to remove these subsidies, European policy allows fish imports of unregulated fishery and aquaculture products that undermine the sustainable and economically viable fishing industry we strive for.

Reform of the common fishery and aquaculture products market is also necessary, particularly the revision of the mechanisms used to counter phenomena such as the gradual suppression of customs duties and the growing competitiveness of imports.