Recommendations on consumer information requirements for fishery and aquaculture products in the HORECA Sector
The Market Advisory Council (MAC) and the Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) provided recommendations to the European Commission and to the EU Member States concerning the provision of consumer information on fishery and aquaculture products, particularly in the hotels, restaurants, and catering (HORECA) sector.
In the context of the EU’s legislative framework, under the Food Information to Consumers Regulation, the HORECA sector is legally obliged to provide certain types of information to consumers, such as information on allergens, to the final consumer. Member States may adopt national measures legally requiring further types of information. Under the Common Market Organisation Regulation, in the case of fresh and frozen fishery and aquaculture products, information must legally be provided on the origin / provenance, species, and production method to final consumers and to the HORECA sector. As the HORECA sector generally sells prepared and preserved food, the specific requirements of this regulation do not usually apply, meaning that the information does not have to be transmitted to the final consumer.
While there are varying views on the relevance of amending the existing legal framework to require the HORECA sector to provide the information foreseen under the Common Market Organisation Regulation to their customers, the MAC and the AAC recommend that:
- The Commission should provide information on the adoption of national measures by the Member States as allowed under the Food Information to Consumers Regulation.
- The Member States and the Commission should provide information on the control measures to detect misleading consumer information.
- The Member States and the Commission should ensure a harmonised enforcement across the EU market, including through the provision of guidance.
- The Member States and the European Commission should provide incentives to the HORECA sector to increase the provision of information to consumers in a voluntary manner beyond the minimum legal requirements.
Yobana Bermúdez, Chair of the Market Advisory Council, highlighted: “When sourcing fresh and frozen fishery and aquaculture products, the HORECA sector has access to the legally required information on origin / provenance, species, and production method. Due to the recent revision of the Fisheries Control Regulation, in the near future, the sector will also have access to the mentioned information when sourcing prepared and preserved products. Therefore, there is room for the voluntary provision of this information by the HORECA sector to their customers.”
Brian Thomsen, Chair of the Aquaculture Advisory Council, emphasised: “In the context of the EU’s single market, harmonisation of the enforcement of consumer information rules by the regional and national authorities of the 27 Member States is essential, including in the efforts to prevent the provision of misleading information. At the same time, it is important to undertake efforts to meet the potential interest of consumers in receiving more information about the food that they purchase, such as on the origin / provenance, species, and production method.”
Full recommendation here.
Information note about the MAC:
As foreseen by Article 43 of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, the Market Advisory Council (MAC) provides advice to the European Commission and EU Member States on the market of fishery and aquaculture products. The MAC is composed of organisations representing the entire value chain (primary producers, processors, traders, suppliers, retailers, trade unions) and other interest groups (environmental and development NGOs). The MAC is co-funded by the EU.
Information note about the AAC:
As foreseen by the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation, the AAC provides advice to the European Commission and EU Member States on any new legislative, regulatory or legal measure at EU or national level that affects aquaculture. The AAC is composes of associations representing the sector (producers, feed, veterinarians, trade unions), and other interest groups (environment and animal welfare NGOs). The AAC is co-funded by the EU.
