49 Amendments of Nils TORVALDS related to 2017/2118(INI)
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Acknowledges the socio-economic importance of aquaculture for coastal communities and islands;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas starting up or expanding an aquaculture farm in the EU requires obtaining various permits and authorisations and the procedure for obtaining these official documents is sometimes slow, complex and uncertain; whereas this situation risks hindersing the development of the sector an, could discourages business investment and result in excessive costs for the sector;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the most complex procedures are those related to environmental requirements (impact studies and surveillance procedures), but, paradoxically, the slowness and complexity of these administrative procedures do not always ensure environmental protection, indeed on the contrary sometimes making it difficult to establish sustainable aquaculture farms;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the unavailability of locations, in conjunction with competition with other economic activities, has a considerable effect on the development of EU aquaculture in some regions, since the aquaculture sector has little weight compared with ‘powerful’ activities such as tourism, oil and gas extraction, windmills, etc;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Acknowledges the negative impact aquaculture can have on the local environment and water quality; encourages further innovation and initiatives to ensure a long term sustainable and profitable sector
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that scientific evidence should be followed to formulate and monitor management and production practices in relation to environmental impact, sanitary and veterinary conditions and food safety; calls on the Commission to establish long time scientific monitoring also beyond the duration of a specific project; underlines the importance of follow-ups on projects and studies and the close cooperation between scientists with the aquaculture sector, including pond farmers;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
J a. whereas different national or regional legal frameworks for aquaculture can lead to businesses having different legal requirements even if they are active in the same sea basin, which in turn risks distorting competition
Amendment 61 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas EU products have to comply with a series of stringent environmental, animal health and consumer protection rules and standards covering production operations, feed, welfare, transport, processing and social conditions of employment; whereas the result is excellent quality and sustainable products which may be more expensive and, thus, less competitive than the imported ones, which frequently arrive on the EU market at lower than expected prices thanks to practices which are unsustainable from an environmental and social point of view, and whose production has been accompanied by poor animal welfare standards;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that investments are necessary in order to use the enormous potential of the aquaculture sector, and calls therefore for an increase in funding for research, innovation and quality- orientated, sustainable production projects.; calls on the Commission and the Member States to further simplify and reduce bureaucratic burden for the aquaculture sector, including pond farmers;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the excellent quality of EU seafood shouldcan constitute a major competitive advantage for EU aquaculture;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
Amendment 81 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Takes positive note of new initiatives with land based aquaculture, especially in EU areas with closed waters
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas this not only leads to unransparent and equal standards for food quality and consumers’ health is needed to ensure fair competition between imported third- country and EU aquaculture products and EU produce, but also affects produce and food quality and consumers’ health;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Q
Recital Q
Q. whereas sustainable aquaculture is based on rearing healthy animals, and for this it is essential to have the specific veterinary tools, especially a responsible and restrictive use of vaccines to ensure animal health and welfare;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital T
Recital T
T. whereas although there is always room for improvement through better practices, the bad image of this activity is not always due to real problems (environmental, quality or safety aspects,) but to the preconceived idea that consumers have of aquaculture; whereas a significant part of this situation is due to the belief that the real impacts of aquaculture in some third countries (developing countries) are also encountered in the EU, which is not true;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital U
Recital U
U. whereas thea poor reputation of aquaculture can affects its governance by public administrations (licensing, planning, etc), but also its marketing conditions;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital W
Recital W
W. whereas difficulties in access toing credit is difficult, as thand a considerable time-lag between investment and first sale is considerable (in general 3 years or more), and th risk discouragesing investors;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital X
Recital X
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Z a (new)
Recital Z a (new)
Z a. Whereas a mix of commercial fisheries and aquaculture is important and a developed aquaculture sector can never be seen as a reason to continue overfishing;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital AA
Recital AA
AA. whereas available data show a growing gap – estimated at 8 million tonnes – between the level of consumption of seafood in the EU and the volume of captures from fisheries; whereas sustainable aquaculture can together with sustainable fisheries contribute to guaranteeing long-term food and nutrition security, including food supplies, as well as growth and employment for Union citizens, and contribute to meeting the growing world demand for aquatic food; whereas it can thus contribute to the overall objective of filling the gap between consumption and production of seafood in the EU;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Takes positive note of new initiatives with land based aquaculture, especially in sensitive seas and EU areas with closed waters
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the Commission communication ‘Strategic Guidelines for the sustainable development of EU aquaculture’ and its identification of the areas where efforts need to focus in order to unlock the potential of EU aquaculture so that it, together with sustainable fisheries, can contribute to the objective of filling the gap between consumption and production of seafood in the EU in a way that is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that sustainable growth needs to be based on: business certainty, which can be created through more efficient administrative frameworks, improved governance transparency, clear and homogenous criteria for granting licences across the EU, common disease management procedures and access to appropriate veterinary treatments, effective spatial planning, the availability of guidance documents, exchange of best practices, the support of the Aquaculture Advisory Council, and adequate financial support can all contribute to sustainable growth;
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that any sustainable European aquaculture policy must take account of the characteristics and different needs and challenges of the various types of aquaculture production (saltwater fish, freshwater fish, molluscs, crustaceans, seaweed and echinoderms), and develop tailor-made measures that also account for geographic differences and the potential effects of climate change;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Emphasises the vital role of local and regional authorities in the development of European aquaculture, and specificallyincluding in implementing the multiannual strategic plans drawn up by the Member States;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – introductory part
Paragraph 10 – introductory part
10. Stresses that the sustainable growth of aquaculture needs to be based on business certainty, which can be created through for example:
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point a
Paragraph 10 – point a
a) simplification of administrative procedures - less red tape, on EU, national and regional level;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 10 – point f a (new)
f a) A coordinated legal framework between different regions and Member States sharing the same waters in order to ensure fair competition and efficient environmental policies
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point g
Paragraph 10 – point g
g) close cooperation between the Commission and the competent authorities (national, but also local and regional) in the implementation of EU legislation (mainly environmental) as well as supporting coordination of national or regional legislation where necessary;
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 – point i
Paragraph 10 – point i
i) adequate but restrictive public financial support at EU and national level;
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. STakes note of suggestions, with regard to the administrative system, for the use of a ‘one- stop shop’, which would take on and exercise all responsibilities, allowing relevant documents to be submitted to a single administrative body; believes this wcould significantpotentially improve the relationship between the end-user and the different levels of public administration;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. SuggestsTakes note of suggestions of establishing a simplified or ‘fast-track’ licensing system, whereby the competent administration grants a provisional certificate permitting those operators who meet predefined criteria to commence their activities; these criteria could be based on applicants’ history or on the fact that they have put forward a pioneering aquaculture project in terms of innovation or sustainability, or on the establishment of reserved aquaculture easement zones where uses that are incompatible with aquaculture are defined in advance;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Points out that it is essential that due consideration be given to the aquaculture sector’s interests and that it be treated fairly when it interacts with other sectors, e.g. in spatial planning or allowances for emissions;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Insists on the fact that the legislation should be adopted after consultation, on an equal basis, of all interested actors (and not only the most important or powerful ones);
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that strictercompliance with EU legislation on imports is needed in order to guarantee that they comply with the samesufficient environmental and food safety standards as EU products;
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for more and better controls at the bordereasures to ensure compliance with EU import rules;
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Points out that the EU should export its sustainability standards and know-how; believes this is especially relevant in the case of neighbouring regions that produce similar species to those produced in the EU (e.g. North Africa and the Middle East)and especially with third countries sharing the same waters as the EU;
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Commission to investigate how best to monitorcontinue ensuring that EU import rules are respected, also in terms of farming procedures, in respect of that comply with environmental, hygiene and social standards, in exporting third countries so that a level playing field can be implemented internationally;
Amendment 282 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Insists on a stricfull and completer implementation of the EU legislation on labelling and consumer information, both in fish markets and in the hotel, restaurant and catering sector (HORECA); believes this is important for all fisheries products (and not only aquaculture products), both imported and EU-produced; considers that the Control Regulation should be adapted and reinforced to this end;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Points out that the sector can benefit from better communication on the benefits of aquaculture is needed;
Amendment 308 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses the need to encourage and finance promotion campaigns for regional quality schemes;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Calls on the Commission and the Member StatesMember States, where beneficial with support from the Commission, to guarantee appropriate vocational training in the field of aquaculture and encouragetakes note of the possibleility of retraining of professional fishermen in alternative methods of managing aquatic environments, thus also helping to create jobs for young people in rural and coastal areas and in the outermost regions, on islands, and, in general, in regions that depend to a great extent on fisheries and aquaculture activities;
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Points out that no antagonism should exist between fisheries and aquaculture and that both sectors can be perfectly compatible and complementary, especially in coastal regions or islands which are highly dependent on those activities;