Council Regulation (EC) No 708/2007Show full title

Council Regulation (EC) No 708/2007

of 11 June 2007

concerning use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 37 and Article 299(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee(1)

Whereas:

(1) In accordance with Article 6 of the Treaty, environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the definition and implementation of the Community policies and activities, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development.

(2) Aquaculture is a fast-growing sector where innovation and new outlets are being explored. In order to adapt the production to the conditions of the market, it is important for the aquaculture industry to diversify the species reared.

(3) Aquaculture has benefited economically from the introduction of alien species and translocation of locally absent species in the past (for example rainbow trout, Pacific oyster and salmon) and the policy objective for the future is to optimise benefits associated with introductions and translocations while at the same time avoiding alterations to ecosystems, preventing negative biological interaction, including genetic change, with indigenous populations and restricting the spread of non-target species and detrimental impacts on natural habitats.

(4) Invasive alien species have been identified as one of the key causes of loss of native species and harm to bio-diversity. Under Article 8(h) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to which the Community is a Party, each Contracting Party is required, as far as possible and as appropriate, to prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species. In particular, the Conference of the Parties to the CBD has adopted Decision VI/23 on alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species, the annex to which sets out Guiding Principles for the prevention, introduction and mitigation of impacts of such alien species.

(5) The translocation of species within their natural range to areas where they are locally absent for specific bio-geographical reasons may also present risks for ecosystems in these areas and should also be covered by this Regulation.

(6) The Community should therefore develop its own framework to ensure adequate protection of aquatic habitats from the risks associated with the use of non-native species in aquaculture. This framework should include procedures for the analysis of the potential risks, the taking of measures based on the prevention and precautionary principles and the adoption of contingency plans where necessary. These procedures should build on experience gained through the existing voluntary frameworks, and notably the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Code of Practice on the Introductions and Transfers of Marine Organisms and the European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) Code of Practice and Manual of Procedures for consideration of introduction and transfer of marine and freshwater organisms.

(7) The measures provided for in this Regulation should be without prejudice to Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on environmental impact assessment(2), Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(3), Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy(4) and Council Directive 2006/88/EC of 24 October 2006 on animal health requirements for aquaculture animals and products thereof, and on the prevention and control of certain diseases in aquatic animals(5).

(8) The potential risks, which may in some cases be far reaching, are initially more evident locally. The characteristics of local aquatic environments throughout the Community are very diverse and Member States have the appropriate knowledge and expertise to evaluate and manage the risks to the aquatic environments falling within their sovereignty or jurisdiction. It is therefore appropriate that the implementation of the measures provided for in this Regulation falls primarily under the responsibility of Member States.

(9) It should be taken into account that movements of alien or locally absent species to be held in closed aquaculture facilities which are secure and which present a very low risk of escape should not be subject to prior environmental risk assessment.

(10) However, in cases where risks are not negligible and may affect other Member States there should be a Community system for consultation of interested parties and validation of permits prior to their granting by Member States. The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) established under Council Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002 of 20 December 2002 on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the Common Fisheries Policy(6) should provide the scientific advice in this consultation and the Advisory Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture set up by Commission Decision 1999/478/EC(7) should give the advice of stakeholders in the field of aquaculture and environmental protection.

(11) Some alien species have commonly been used in aquaculture for a long time in certain parts of the Community. The activities connected therewith should therefore benefit from a differential treatment facilitating their development without any additional administrative burden on condition that the source can provide stock that is free of non target species. Member States who wish to restrict the use of such long-used species in their territory should be permitted to do so.

(12) Nothing in this Regulation shall prevent Member States from regulating the keeping of alien or locally absent species in private aquaria and garden ponds through national regulations.

(13) The measures necessary for the implementation of this Regulation should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission(8).

(14) For the sake of efficiency, the procedure for the amendments to Annexes I, II, III and IV of this Regulation, necessary to adapt them to technical and scientific progress, should be the management procedure referred to in Article 30(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2371/2002,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

(1)

OJ C 324, 30.12.2006, p. 15.

(2)

OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40. Directive as last amended by Directive 2003/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 156, 25.6.2003, p. 17).

(3)

OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7. Directive as last amended by Directive 2006/105/EC (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 368).

(4)

OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1. Directive as amended by Decision No 2455/2001/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 331, 15.12.2001, p. 1).

(5)

OJ L 328, 24.11.2006, p. 14.

(6)

OJ L 358, 31.12.2002, p. 59.

(7)

OJ L 187, 20.7.1999, p. 70. Decision as amended by Decision 2004/864/EC (OJ L 370, 17.12.2004, p. 91).

(8)

OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. Decision as amended by Decision 2006/512/EC (OJ L 200, 22.7.2006, p. 11).