Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) has responded to the European Commission’s recent overview report on farmed fish welfare, stating that several of the report’s conclusions do not sufficiently reflect the scientific and operational complexities of European aquaculture.
While supporting the development of science-based and species-specific welfare standards, FEAP said the report does not adequately account for differences between fish species, production systems and life stages. The federation noted that welfare requirements can vary significantly depending on species, fish size and farming environment, making fixed legislative thresholds difficult to establish across the sector.
FEAP also highlighted ongoing scientific uncertainty surrounding fish welfare assessment and stunning technologies. According to the federation, research using electroencephalogram (EEG) methods has shown that fish species respond differently to stunning systems, and there is still no broad academic consensus on the most appropriate methods for measurement and interpretation. The organisation cautioned against introducing regulatory requirements before further scientific agreement is reached.
The federation further stated that the report does not fully recognise the operational realities of fish slaughter in many EU member states, where stunning and slaughter are commonly carried out on farms rather than in dedicated slaughterhouses. FEAP said this creates practical limitations for the use of advanced technologies, particularly for small vessels, outdoor environments and smaller enterprises.
FEAP also noted that traditional coastal lagoon and brackish-water farming systems used in countries including Italy, Greece and Spain were insufficiently represented in the report. The federation described these systems as an important part of Europe’s aquaculture heritage.
On the issue of fish sentience and public perception, FEAP argued that the report relied heavily on NGO sources and suggested that broader datasets, including Eurobarometer surveys, should also be considered to provide a wider perspective on public opinion.
The organisation stated that one of the sector’s main challenges is the lack of reliable and practical documentation methods for welfare assessment, rather than evidence that existing practices are inherently unacceptable. FEAP added that some welfare verification requirements, including EEG-based documentation, are currently difficult to implement across many production systems.
Javier Ojeda said welfare improvements should remain practical, proportionate and achievable, warning that regulations that do not reflect operational realities could place pressure on European producers while shifting production outside the EU.
FEAP stated that it remains committed to working with EU institutions and member states on the development of practical welfare standards for European aquaculture.
