EAFPA is convinced that the role of auctions in the economic chain of fisheries should be developed and strengthened.
The Association's activities focus on four key priorities:
Communicating the benefits of auctions to consumers, the fisheries sector,
public authorities and society as a whole.
Developing and harmonising quality and sanitary standards within an efficient
and effective system of traceability.
Developing an information system that centralises and distributes general data
concerning the activities of auctions.
This system is an essential element that will guarantee market transparency and enhance resource conservation.
Influencing the EU regulatory framework by initiating proposals for new European
legislation.
Lobbying at each step of the European legislative ladder is essential, as well as developing EAFPA's role as a valuable participant in the Advisory Committee on Fisheries, of which EAFPA is already a member.
| Key Issue | Observations | Proposals |
| First point of sale | a) Auctions
are the first point of sale and market makers for fish: 70% of all
fresh fish landed passes through an auction. Buyers are wholesalers,
processors, supermarkets and retailers.
b) The EU does not distinguish between auctions and buyers: both are considered marketing activities. c) Auctions are not even mentioned in the new common market organisation. |
The role of
auctions should be specified and recognised.
Relevant Legislation: Council Regulation 2406/96 of 26th November 1996 laying down common marketing standards for fish products. Commission Regulation 3703/85 of 23 December laying down detailed rules for applying common marketing standards to certain fresh or chilled fish. Both Acts speak of the "industry" without specifying the role of auctions. This should be corrected with specific proposals formulated for inclusion during the revision process of Regulation 2406/96. |
| Traceability | a)
Traceability needs to be developed throughout the economic chain.
b) Auctions deal with multiple interlocutors. Since auctions keep track of all their transactions, they can guarantee the traceability of products, which is vital. c) Auctions can also facilitate the generalisation of traceability. |
Auctions
should become Centres of Registration and Identification.
Relevant Legislation: Directive 2000/13/EC of the Council and Parliament (20th March 2000) on labeling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs. This directive applies to all foodstuffs, including fish products. given the specific nature of the fisheries sector adequate legislation in this field is required. |
| Qualification and Quality | a) The
qualification as well as the determination of species, size, weight,
quality and selection of fish is the responsibility of the seller. In
practice this check is conducted by auctions.
b) Auctions are also subject to sanitary rules including application of ice and temperature control. Ice and cooling are sine qua non in the fisheries sector. c) Fish are divided into 4 quality categories: E, A, B and C. As part of the auction process inspectors withdraw quality C products from the economic chain as unsuitable for human consumption. |
Legislation
should be amended to take account the activities of auctions (de
facto) and the benefits that these represent.
Relevant Legislation: Directive 91/493/EEC (22 July 1991) on health conditions for the production and placing on the market of fish products. Regulation 2930/86 (22 September 1986) defining the characteristics for fishing vessels. Regulation 2847/93 (12 October 1993) on a control system applicable to the common fisheries policy. Regulation 2091/93 (30 September 1998) concerning the segmentation of the Community fishing fleet and fishing efforts in relation to the multi-annual guidance programmes. None of these Acts mention the specific position and advantages of auctions in this matter. |
| Open and electronic market for establishing fish prices | Auctions
respect the principles of the open market. each supplier or buyer
fulfilling basic requirements can participate.
The requirements are public and equitable. |
EAFPA has
determined certain key proposals to expand and develop this media for
free trade.
Regulation 2406/96 on e-commerce standards. The specific role of auctions should be taken into account in European legislation on e-commerce within the fisheries sector. |
| Transparency of Information | a) Auctions
excel in transparency: what is on offer for sale; has been sold; who
sold it (and to whom); the price.... Information technology
provides us with the necessary tools to make this accessible.
b) This strategic information "belongs" to the auctions but is also considered to be available to the public. Various users [public authorities, the industry, ....] benefit from such information. |
We believe it
essential that all fish is registered by the auction to contribute to
the preservation of the resource.
Regulation 1543/2000 (29 June 2000) established a community framework for the collection and management of the data needed to conduct the common fisheries policy. The essential and valuable role of auctions in the effective application of this should be recognised and introduced into the existing European legislative framework. |
| Port Infrastructure, Superstructure and services | Auctions, in
general, manage investments in fishing ports and more specifically
investments in:
Landing Infrastructure: docks and quays for landing; cranes; slipways and dry-docks. Auction Superstructure: fish halls; grading and weighing machines; auction; distribution depots; warehouses; fish merchants premises and IT facilities. Logistics Equipment: fish boxes; trucks; fork lifts; floor washers; ice making machines; box washers. Miscellaneous: fuel; water; electricity; fishermen's compounds; offices. |
Existing
national subsidy schemes can affect competition between auctions.
EAFPA should lobby the EU institutions to enact legislation eliminating these distortions to fair competition on the basis of the Treaties. |
| Logistics | a) Auctions
often coordinate transport. This can include the engagement of dockers
or graders to discharge and load transport. Some auctions collect
fish landed along the coast, other arrange the importation by road, air
or sea of fish landed elsewhere in Europe, Africa or
elsewhere.
b) Logistics for the sale of fish is coordinated by auctions. This covers fish handling and packaging, storage, maintenance of the chill chain, presentation, and distribution centre management. c) Nowadays auctions tend to provide or ensure these services more frequently due to the relocation of fleets away from their traditional landing ports. |
Once again
competition distortions should be eliminated and the EU institutions
made aware of the role of auctions in the context of the single market.
EAFPA shall explore the coordination of logistics between members. Assistance from the EU in this field would be beneficial and improve the development of an efficacious single market for fish products in Europe.
|
| Box Management | a) Auctions
generally provide fish boxes for storage, presentation and
distribution of fish. These differ from port to port. Auctions provide
for box management within and between ports.
b) Both the renewal and management of boxes are very expensive for the auctions and, in turn, the industry. c) Alternatives to the reusable auction box, such as a single use polystyrene box , create an environmental problem.
|
Standardisation
of box management would reduce costs.
The various types of public financing in member states create competition distortions for fishermen. Proposals should be developed to convince the EU institutions to introduce legislation on this issue after consultation with the whole industry, including auctions. EAFPA, as an extension of Logistics management, shall explore how it can offer services to auctions and the industry in this field. |
| Public Obligations | a) Auctions
are neither open to the public nor are they public services.
b) Nevertheless every part seems to take their services for granted: access to information, meeting rooms for various purposes, employment of dockers, provision and rental of premises..... |
There is no
legal text regulating this issue and thus no standardisation.
Harmonisation at a European level is vital in order to ensure coherence. This legal; vacuum needs to be filled as soon as possible. Auctions can not be expected to undertake public services without due recompense. |
| Assistance & Training | a) Our
profession is a complex one: it employs various technologies, including
leading edge internet services, and an increasingly high level of
automation.
b) Skilled personnel are a necessity. Auctions train their personnel and provide assistance for professional middlemen in their relations with public authorities. |
Legal
text is required on this issue.
An adequate status for personnel as well as support training is required. Minimum requirements on these issues should be developed at the European level. |
Conclusions
Auctions offer numerous advantages to virtually every sector across the fish industry: for consumers (quality, hygiene, traceability); to public authorities (collection and circulation of data); the fisheries sector (free and fair competition) and society as a whole (resource preservation). The importance of auctions to the fisheries industry still needs to be fully recognised by European authorities.
EAFPA has identified these 10 areas where regulatory action is required. The Association and its members will dedicate their efforts and experience to furthering these objectives.