Source: European Parliament
1. The EU illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing Regulation’s[1] main pillars (IUU catch certification and dialogues) serve to prevent IUU fish from entering the EU market, thus contributing to implement a level playing field for legitimate operators within the EU and outside. Also, the revised Control Regulation[2] enhances the control of the supply chain and traceability requirements of fishery and aquaculture products, including imports.
The catch certificate ensures legality of imported fish. The revised IUU Regulation obliges EU importers and authorities, as of 10 January 2026, to use CATCH, an EU IT system digitising the paper-based system, to stop fraudulent use of catch certificates, ease controls and risk identification, and harmonise import controls, enhancing the level playing field for EU operators and defending our market from unfair competition.
The EU also promotes its standards, including on fisheries control, in international fora such as the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations or in its relations with neighbouring fishing nations.
2. The EU has strict controls on imported food to ensure high consumer protection and food safety. In other areas, consumer awareness of the higher standards of EU production can give a competitive edge to EU aquaculture over products from third countries not complying with similar standards[3].
The level playing field regarding imported fisheries and aquaculture products is also part of the evaluation[4] of the CFP Regulation[5].
As regards imports of aquaculture products, the Commission can use trade defence instruments, among other things targeting subsidies, to protect the EU single market from trade distortions[6]. Anti-subsidy measures are already in place on imports of trout from Türkiye.
- [1] Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2008/1005/oj/eng.
- [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202302842.
- [3] This is one of the key objectives of the ongoing communication campaign on EU aquaculture.
- [4] https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-opens-public-consultation-common-fisheries-policy-regulation-2025-01-27_en.
- [5] I ncluding the common market Organisation.
- [6] In line with the World Trade Organisation’s rules on subsidies.