Regulation 2009/710 - Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, as regards laying down detailed rules on organic aquaculture animal and seaweed production - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 204/15

Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and in particular Title III thereof lays down basic requirements with regard to aquaculture animal and seaweed production. Detailed rules for the implementation of these requirements should be laid down by amending Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 (2), which lays down detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007.

The Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on a strategy for the sustainable development of European aquaculture (3) sets out a vision for the development of this sector over a ten year period to give a stable industry in rural and coastal areas providing alternatives to the fishing industry in terms of products and employment. The Communication pointed to the potential for organic aquaculture production and the requirement for norms and criteria to be developed.

To ensure common understanding the definitions as laid down in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 should be supplemented and corrected in order to avoid ambiguities and to guarantee the uniform application of the organic aquaculture animal and seaweed production rules.

The aquatic growing area for organic seaweed and aquaculture animals is of utmost importance for growing both safe and high quality products with minimal impact on the aquatic environment. Community legislation on quality of waters and contaminants in food, including Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (4), Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (5), Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (6), and Regulations (EC) No 852/2004 (7), (EC) No 853/2004 (8) and (EC) No 854/2004 (9) of the European Parliament and of the Council provide for environmental objectives for water and ensures high food quality. It is therefore appropriate to draw up a sustainable management plan for seaweed and aquaculture production specifying measures, such as waste reduction.

Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (10), Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (11) and Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (12) should ensure proper interaction with the environment while taking into account the impact of these activities on the environmental objectives for water set out in application of Directives 2000/60/EC and 2008/56/EC. Provisions should be made for drawing up an environmental assessment covering best adaptation to the surrounding environment and mitigation...