In the perspective of the upcoming reform of the CFP, the landlocked countries Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg and Slovakia endeavour to draw attention to their common priorities in relation to freshwater aquaculture and inland fisheries and have adopted a joint declaration that was already presented to the Commission in the margins of the Agriculture Council in February 2011.
The declaration highlights the potential of aquaculture and insist on the following points for the future:
- increase the share for freshwater aquaculture in the new European fishery fund;
- enhance support of applied research;
- focus on the needs of small enterprises as well as to simplify and harmonize administrative and financial measures;
- find common solutions on veterinary and disease control issues; and
- promote freshwater aquaculture products as an environmentally friendly alternative to endangered marine fisheries resources.
The declaration emphasizes the distinction between the marine and inland fishery and underlines the specific role of proper management of inland fishery resources that can support rural development and improve biodiversity of freshwaters.
