A new advisory group that includes seafood primary producers, representatives from industry and trade and environmental and consumer organizations held its first meeting as a formal body on 8 June.
The European Market Advisory Council (MAC) for fisheries and aquaculture will investigate key issues affecting the seafood sector and deliver advice on markets to the European Union, according to a press release from the European Federation of National Organizations of Importers and Exporters of Fish/European Fish Processors Association (AIPCE-CEP). The MAC will provide its advice to the Commission and other policy-makers with the same status as the existing Advisory Councils.
In its 8 June meeting, AIPCE President Guus Pastoor was elected the first chairman of the MAC.
“We called for its establishment during the negotiations for adoption of the CFP Regulation back in May 2013 and we have been working intensively in the preparation phase since then,” Pastoor said. “We are pleased that decisions taken at the first General Assembly will enable the MAC to start and this should reflect the reality of the whole chain of fishery and aquaculture products whilst preserving a balance of interests”.
The council’s initial work will focus on policy implementation and delivery of the Common Market Organization, supply, regulatory and consumer affairs and seek to strengthen the implementation of the E.U. Common Fisheries Policy.
“The primary purpose of the MAC is to look at market and consumer issues across the value chain and across all 28 member states,” Pastoor said. “All component parts of the industry have a role to play in this and the contribution of E.U. fish processors and traders to the process will be ensured through the executive committee and working groups where AIPCE-CEP delegates have been elected for relevant positions. In this context, we are committed to provide expertise from our industry to the benefit of all interested parties involved.”
