RASTECH Magazine

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EU adopts green deal for aquaculture

May 29, 2020  By  Nestor Arellano



The European Union (EU) is implementing an environmentally friendly strategy aimed at helping the aquaculture industry in the region shift to a more sustainable and efficient way of producing food in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The coronavirus crisis has shown how vulnerable we all are, and how important it is to restore the balance between human activity and nature,” said Frans Timmermans, executive vice-president for the European Green Deal.“Climate change and biodiversity loss are a clear and present danger to humanity. European farmers, fishers and aquaculture producers play a key role in the transition to a more equitable and sustainable food system.”

The European Green Deal is the roadmap for enabling the EU’s economy overcome the threats of climate change and environmental degradation and to the transforms the Union into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy. Its aims are to achieve an economy which has:

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  • no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050
  • economic growth  that is decoupled from resource use
  • no person and no place left behind

Under the plan,  the EC  will encourage the aquaculture sector to move towards 50 per cent reduction in antimicrobial use, and increase organic production.

The commission will also implement a separate strategy for the development of algae production and use in the EU.

The EU aims to be climate neutral in 2050. To do this the union has proposed a European Climate Law.

Reaching this target will require action by all sectors of its economy, including

  • investing in environmentally-friendly technologies
  • supporting industry to innovate
  • rolling out cleaner, cheaper and healthier forms of private and public transport
  • decarbonizing the energy sector
  • ensuring buildings are more energy efficient
  • working with international partners to improve global environmental standards

The EU will also provide financial support and technical assistance to help people, businesses and regions that are most affected by the move towards the green economy. This is called the Just Transition Mechanism and will help mobilize at least €100 billion over the period 2021-2027 in the most affected regions.


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