Scottish MEP (member of the European Parliament) Struan Stevenson welcomed the European Commission's proposal last week to grow the continent's aquaculture output by improving the industry's competitiveness, governance and sustainability.
"I welcome this report, which is long overdue, as a way of re-booting our fish farms and breathing new life into a once buoyant industry," said Stevenson, who is also the fisheries spokesman for the European Parliament.
"In addition to simplifying legislation, there is a great need for financial support for small and medium enterprises in the fish farming sector," added Stevenson. "At a time of financial crisis in particular, reducing red tape and bureaucracy are a vital prerequisite for creating new jobs in a selection of fields, from research and technological development to marketing and advertising.
"In Scotland, we have cutting-edge technology, dynamic entrepreneurs, a perfect environment and a long background in aquaculture, which puts us in pole position to take advantage of any new initiatives from the European Commission."
At an annual output of GBP 450 million (USD 670 million, EUR 506 million), the United Kingdom is Europe's second largest farmed fish producer after France, in terms of value.
In a report released last week, EC fisheries commissioner Joe Borg expressed concern over the fish farming industry's inability to expand production in recent years, even though the EU leads the world in aquaculture research and development.
"Aquaculture has a bright future ahead of it in providing Europe's discerning consumers with high-quality, healthy fish products," said Borg. "However, today its potential is far from being fully realized. It is time for it to get its full share and to give this strategically important sector an equal voice, and, quite literally, the place it needs to develop."
Providing fish farmers with a business-friendly environment and ensuring they receive the resources and governance they require to grow in a sustainable, environmentally friendly manner is key to the aquaculture industry's success, emphasized Borg.
