Bearing in mind the traceability, quality and CO2 issues involved in importing large quantities of molluscs from distant third countries, can the Commission outline how it intends to promote aquaculture in the EU, with special reference to the mollusc/shellfish sector?

28. Calls on the Member States to work towards a ‘maritime development plan’ and the integrated management of coastal areas, as provided for under the EU's new maritime policy and in line with environmental impact assessments, which covers all the different product categories in the sector, such as shellfishing, sub-coastal aquaculture, offshore and freshwater aquaculture, and to undertake to reduce existing bureaucratic obstacles to obtaining the requisite permits and concessions to start a sustainable aquaculture activity, possibly by setting up ‘one-stop shops’ that centralise the administrative formalities incumbent on operators in a ...[+++] single location; calls too on the Member States to draw up long-term strategic plans to foster the sustainable development of this activity and on the Commission to bring forward proposals for all measures required to promote competitiveness in the sector, taking into account the specificities of each Member State;

28. Calls on the Member States to work towards a ‘maritime development plan’ and the integrated management of coastal areas, as provided for under the EU’s new maritime policy and in line with environmental impact assessments, which covers all the different product categories in the sector, such as shellfishing, sub-coastal aquaculture, offshore and freshwater aquaculture, and to undertake to reduce existing bureaucratic obstacles to obtaining the requisite permits and concessions to start a sustainable aquaculture activity, possibly by setting up ‘one-stop shops’ that centralise the administrative formalities incumbent on operators in a ...[+++] single location; calls too on the Member States to draw up long-term strategic plans to foster the sustainable development of this activity and on the Commission to bring forward proposals for all measures required to promote competitiveness in the sector, taking into account the specificities of each Member State;

A. whereas marine aquaculture (comprising the farming of fish, molluscs and crustaceans) and fresh water aquaculture present different business realities that are an integral part of the CFP and aquaculture is a complement to, and not a substitute for, the fisheries sector,

A. whereas marine aquaculture (comprising the farming of fish, molluscs and crustaceans) and inland aquaculture present different business realities that are an integral part of the CFP and aquaculture is a complement to and not a substitute for the fisheries sector,

Mr. Michael Chadwick: The aquaculture industry is very important in the southern gulf—the molluscan aquaculture industry, mussels being the primary species.