1.Fishery producer organisations and aquaculture producer organisations (‘producer organisations’) may be established on the initiative of producers of fishery or aquaculture products in one or more Member States and recognised in accordance with Section II.
2.Where relevant, the specific situation of small-scale producers shall be taken into account when establishing producer organisations.
3.A producer organisation that is representative of both fishery and aquaculture activities may be established as a joint fishery and aquaculture producer organisation.
1.Fishery producer organisations shall pursue the following objectives:
(a)promoting the viable and sustainable fishing activities of their members in full compliance with the conservation policy, as laid down, in particular, in Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and in environmental law, while respecting social policy and, where the Member State concerned so provides, participating in the management of marine biological resources;
(b)avoiding and reducing as far as possible unwanted catches of commercial stocks and, where necessary, making the best use of such catches, without creating a market for those that are below the minimum conservation reference size, in accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(c)contributing to the traceability of fishery products and access to clear and comprehensive information for consumers;
(d)contributing to the elimination of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
2.Aquaculture producer organisations shall pursue the following objectives:
(a)promoting the sustainable aquaculture activities of their members through providing opportunities for their development in full compliance with, in particular, Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and with environmental law, while respecting social policy;
(b)ascertaining that the activities of their members are consistent with the national strategic plans referred to in Article 34 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013;
(c)endeavouring to ensure that aquaculture feed products of fishery origin come from fisheries that are sustainably managed.
3.Producer organisations shall, in addition to the objectives laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2, pursue two or more of the following objectives:
(a)improving the conditions for the placing on the market of their members' fishery and aquaculture products;
(b)improving economic returns;
(c)stabilising the markets;
(d)contributing to food supply and promoting high food quality and safety standards, whilst contributing to employment in coastal and rural areas;
(e)reducing the environmental impact of fishing, including through measures to improve the selectivity of fishing gears.
4.Producer organisations may pursue other complementary objectives.
1.In order to achieve the objectives set out in Article 7, producer organisations may, inter alia, make use of the following measures:
(a)adjusting production to market requirements;
(b)channelling the supply and marketing of their members' products;
(c)promoting the Union fishery and aquaculture products of their members in a non-discriminatory manner by using, for example, certification, and in particular designations of origin, quality seals, geographical designations, traditional specialities guaranteed, and sustainability merits;
(d)controlling and taking measures to ensure that their members' activities comply with the rules established by the producer organisation concerned;
(e)promoting vocational training and cooperation programmes to encourage young people to enter the sector;
(f)reducing the environmental impact of fishing, including through measures to improve the selectivity of fishing gears;
(g)promoting the use of information and communication technology to improve marketing and prices;
(h)facilitating consumer access to information on fishery and aquaculture products.
2.Fishery producer organisations may also make use of the following measures:
(a)collectively planning and managing the fishing activities of their members, subject to the organisation, by Member States, of the management of marine biological resources, including developing and implementing measures to improve the selectivity of fishing activities and advising competent authorities;
(b)avoiding and minimising unwanted catches through involvement in the development and application of technical measures, and making the best use of unwanted catches of commercial stocks without creating a market for those catches that are below the minimum conservation reference size, in accordance with Article 15(11) of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 and Article 34(2) of this Regulation, as appropriate;
(c)managing temporary storage for fishery products in accordance with Articles 30 and 31 of this Regulation.
3.Aquaculture producer organisations may also make use of the following measures:
(a)promoting sustainable aquaculture activities, notably in terms of environmental protection, animal health and animal welfare;
(b)collecting information on the marketed products, including economic information on first sales, and on production forecasts;
(c)collecting environmental information;
(d)planning the management of the aquaculture activities of their members;
(e)supporting programmes for professionals to promote sustainable aquaculture products[F1;]
[F2(f) managing temporary storage for aquaculture products in accordance with Articles 30 and 31 of this Regulation.]
Textual Amendments
1.An association of producer organisations may be established at the initiative of producer organisations recognised in one or more Member States.
2.The provisions of this Regulation applicable to producer organisations shall also apply to associations of producer organisations unless stated otherwise.
1.Associations of producer organisations shall pursue the following objectives:
(a)performing in a more efficient and sustainable manner any of the objectives of the member producer organisations laid down in Article 7;
(b)coordinating and developing activities of common interest for the member producer organisations.
2.Associations of producer organisations shall be eligible for financial support in accordance with a future Union legal act establishing the conditions for the financial support for maritime and fisheries policy for the period 2014–2020.
Inter-branch organisations may be established at the initiative of operators of fishery and aquaculture products in one or more Member States and recognised in accordance with Section II.
Inter-branch organisations shall improve the coordination of, and the conditions for, making fishery and aquaculture products available on the Union market.
In order to achieve the objectives referred to in Article 12, inter-branch organisations may make use of the following measures:
drawing up standard contracts which are compatible with Union legislation;
promoting Union fishery and aquaculture products in a non-discriminatory manner by using, for example, certification, and in particular designations of origin, quality seals, geographical designations, traditional specialities guaranteed, and sustainability merits;
laying down rules on the production and marketing of fishery and aquaculture products which are stricter than those laid down in Union or national legislation;
improving quality, knowledge of, and the transparency of, production and the market, as well as carrying out professional and vocational training activities, for example, on quality and traceability matters, on food safety and in order to encourage research initiatives;
performing research and market studies, and developing techniques to optimise the operation of the market, including through the use of information and communication technology, as well as collecting socio-economic data;
providing the information and carrying out the research needed to deliver sustainable supplies at the quantity, quality and price corresponding to market requirements and consumer expectations;
promoting, among consumers, species obtained from fish stocks that are in a sustainable state, that have appreciable nutritional value and that are not widely consumed;
controlling and taking measures for compliance of their members' activities with the rules established by the inter-branch organisation concerned.