Question écrite de
M. Daniel BUDA
-
Commission européenne
Subject: Fish consumption in Europe: Romania is lagging behind
Romanians consume less fish than the citizens of any other country in the EU and are more prone to disease than other EU citizens, particularly disease related to poor diet. On average, Romanians consume seven kilogrammes of fish per annum, while citizens of western countries consume 24 kilogrammes. Each year, a total of 120 000 tonnes of fish is sold within Romania. Of this, 100 000 tonnes is imported; only 20 000 tonnes comes from local production. Of what we produce in the country, 12 800 tonnes are the result of aquaculture, 2 000 tonnes are from Black Sea fishing and some 4 000 tonnes are from inland waterways.
More than 150 000 hectares of waterways are intended for the purpose of fishing in Romania, but unfortunately only 70 000 hectares are actually exploited. According to representatives of the fisheries sector, the reason for this is the lack of investment prospects, notably a lack of subsidies or regulatory frameworks that can provide investors with a medium and long-term perspective.
What action would the Commission suggest the Romanian authorities take to support fishing activities and encourage the exploitation of tens of thousands of hectares of waterways, with a view to promoting fish consumption?
Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission (20 January 2020)
The Commission approved in 2015, the Operational Programme for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs for Romania (OP) for support under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). The total EMFF funding is EUR 168,421,371, with priorities dedicated to supporting aquaculture: EUR 29,829,948, as well as the marketing and processing of fish products: EUR 11,240,754.
Such funding aims at the development of the sector and the increase of the domestic fish consumed in Romania. The current legal framework does not allow for additional EU financial support for aquaculture farmers outside the OP.
Regarding the use of areas with aquaculture potential, the Romanian Managing Authority in charge for the OP has consulted the Commission during 2019 on the intention to fund a national assessment for determining the productive potential of all aquaculture sites. The Commission confirmed that such initiative may be funded under Article 51 of the regulation (EU) No 508/2014 (EMFF Regulation) (1) and be related to the identification and mapping of both new and existing aquaculture sites. Such national evaluation of the aquaculture sites may also be used as a guide for the development of the aquaculture sector in the future programming period 2021-2027, helping Romania to target funding for the development of all its aquaculture sites.
The Commission will continue to support Romania to make full use of the EMFF funds at its disposal for unleashing the full potential of aquaculture sector at national level.
⋅1∙ Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and repealing Council
Regulations (EC) No 2328/2003, (EC) No 861/2006, (EC) No 1198/2006 and (EC) No 791/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 1255/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L 149, 20.5.2014, p. 1.