Marine Ingredients Denmark (MID) voices strong support for new EU rules on fisheries control. The organisation represents Danish producers of fishmeal and fish oil worth around €804 million in exports last year.
Its members turn short-lived pelagic fish such as sprat, sandeel, and blue whiting, as well as trimmings from the seafood industry, into high-value products.
Industry with €804m in exports backs new EU rules.
MID praises the European Commission’s draft regulation, especially Article 34, which sets out duties for operators who weigh catches during inspections.
The group backs the move to have weighing done by independent third parties, to boost fairness, credibility, and traceability across all EU Member States.
But MID calls for even more precision. It says the EU needs clear, shared technical standards for weighing equipment to prevent uneven enforcement between countries.
The group also urges safeguards so no one can make hidden or untraceable changes to weighing results. Digital and physical checks should confirm whether seals remain intact.
Live CCTV plus independent inspectors urged
Video recordings of the weighing process already get a thumbs-up from MID. The group recommends that authorities gain direct live CCTV access for stronger oversight.
However, it stresses that cameras alone cannot replace certified, independent inspectors on the ground. Instead, remote monitoring should act as a double-check to human inspections.
ISO 17020 Type A seen as key to fairness
On accreditation, MID wants all weighing operators across the EU to meet the ISO 17020 Type A standard — the highest level of independence for inspection bodies. This, it says, will protect impartiality and ensure a level playing field.
The Danish fishmeal and fish oil industry already operates under strict rules, using accredited inspectors for sampling, weighing, and species control.
A third-party Danish system, built to ISO 17020 Type A standards, registers all landings and ensures compliance with quotas. The industry’s Code of Conduct also sets clear rules for cooperation with authorities and researchers, aiming to keep operations transparent and science-driven.