To address questions like what is sustainable fishing, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT) hosted a seminar about the future of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in Málaga, Spain.
The seminar considered the safety, wellbeing and working conditions of the people who work in the fishery sector. In order to achieve a truly sustainable fishing, a socially sustainable supply chain is vital. This requires decent international rules to protect workers.
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Participants discussed various issues that the European market in fish and fish products faces, and which can affect greatly the working conditions.
The debates addressed the impact of the European fish market, as the EU is a major importer of fish products, and European fleets and investors are present far beyond European waters.
ETF said:
Decent and well-implemented European rules could have a positive impact around the world, in a sector blighted by dangerous conditions and modern slavery. The EU’s weight as a huge market for fish products could make it a trend setter for high social standards in the fisheries sector.
EFFAT will develop a trade union vision on the whole seafood supply chain: catching, processing, and aquaculture, to create a more social Common Fisheries Policy.