Europe's protein strategy cannot be complete without aquatic foods, says EUSeA

The European Union Seafood Alliance (EUSeA) has warned that the European Commission's Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2040 remains incomplete because it fails to recognize aquatic foods.

The European Commission has just published the Action Plan for the Resilience, Strategic Autonomy and Sustainability of the EU Protein System and the EU Strategy on Livestock, which prioritize reducing strategic dependencies.

EUSeA highlights that the Commission's shift in its approach to livestock is "particularly noteworthy", as the sector is now recognized as a critical element of Europe's food security.

However, the Alliance stresses that fisheries and aquaculture deserve the same strategic recognition and reiterates that seafood must be part of Europe's protein conversation.

In this context, EUSeA calls for a new EU Action Plan for Blue Foods to be fully reflected in the forthcoming Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2040. The Alliance also calls for aquatic foods to be fully integrated into the EU's broader protein and livestock agendas.

Additionally, it recalls that fisheries and aquaculture by-products already contribute to the EU bioeconomy by supporting sectors such as nutraceuticals, cosmetics, biomaterials, packaging, and bio-based fertilizers.

Finally, the Alliance is committed to working with the European Commission to develop the Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture 2040 and support the implementation of the EU protein and livestock agenda.

The EUSeA includes the European Association of Fish Producers Organisations (EAPO), Europêche, the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP), Seafood Europe, and the European Molluscs Processors Association (EMPA).