Public Statement on Aquaculture within FP10

Prioritisation of Aquaculture, Agriculture and EU Food Systems as Strategic EU Sectors

Five European Technology & Innovation Platforms (ETiPs), including EATiP, together with nine agri-food stakeholder organisations, have issued a joint statement calling on the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to recognise aquaculture production, agriculture and food systems as strategic sectors within the future 10th EU Research Framework Programme (FP10 – Horizon Europe) and the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).

The signatories underline that, in a context marked by geopolitical instability, climate pressures and economic uncertainty, Europe’s aquaculture, agriculture and food systems are essential for the continent’s competitiveness, resilience and food security. These sectors also provide the basis for key bio-based and manufacturing value chains across Europe.

Beyond the production of healthy and nutritious food for human consumption, aquaculture contributes to the supply of animal feeds, fertilisers, as well as pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, further strengthening its strategic importance within the European bioeconomy.

Key recommendations to EU Institutions

The joint statement calls on EU institutions to:

• Explicitly include aquaculture, agriculture, the bioeconomy and food systems within Policy Window 2 of the European Competitiveness Fund and FP10 – Horizon Europe;
• Prioritise adequate and dedicated funding for aquatic and agri-food research and innovation;
• Ensure balanced stakeholder representation in research priority-setting and programme development.

The organisations stress that investing in research and innovation for aquaculture and food systems is not only a sustainability objective, but also a matter of Europe’s economic security and strategic autonomy.

The initiative brings together a broad coalition of European stakeholders, including Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP), Aquaculture Advisory Council and several organisations representing agriculture, food, breeding, seeds, organic production and bioeconomy sectors.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT

Link to the LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eatip_statement-on-the-strategic-importance-of-activity-7458504690641797120-f17R?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAApA4C8BemMlbFtcJoeFTtzsbYSlh7i18a0