At Hungary’s initiative, Agricultural Ministers of countries with no seacoast, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Luxemburg and Hungary, issued a statement in Brussels, which was presented to Maria Damanaki, Commissioner of Fisheries. Public Announcement.

In the document, they requested that the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) should include a greater role and the awarding of subsidies for freshwater fish farming. One of the important priorities of Hungarian Presidency is to staunchly support sustainable fishing and freshwater fish farming in the interests of protecting the environmental – said Mr. Sándor Fazekas, Minister of Rural Development. He later added that if things go as planned the restructuring of the CFP will be brought before the Council during the Hungarian Presidency.

Developing and supporting freshwater fish farming is equally important for Hungary and Europe because of the overfishing of seas and oceans, in addition to increasing our competitiveness versus non-EU countries.

There are 360 freshwater fisheries operating in Hungary. As a member state we view it as an important goal that the reform and restructuring of the CFP should include subsidies for the non-producing services provided by fish ponds and lakes. One of their most important functions is to provide habitats for the rich and varied species of flora, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, native and migrating birds living in and around these aquatic environments, which are a unique national treasure of both Hungary and Europe. Maintaining the diverse abundance of living creatures and vegetation is in the collective national interest, and therefore society cannot expect fish farmers to bear the expenses of this task alone.

(Ministry of Rural Development, Press Office)