CANNING SUMMIT DISCUSSES NEED TO SECURE TUNA AND SARDINES

THE SPANISH-PORTUGUESE CANNING SUMMIT ANALYSES THE NEED TO SECURE TUNA AND SARDINE TO MAINTAIN FULL EMPLOYMENT

The canning employers’ association Anfaco-Cecopesca, through its secretary general, Juan Vieites, and a delegation of businessmen, has met in the Azores Islands with representatives of the Association of Canned Fish Manufacturers of Portugal (ANICP) and the Association of Canned Fish of the Azores (Pão do Mar) in order to define strategies to defend the common interests of the industry in both countries.

On the table has been discussed the current situation of the sector in Spain and Portugal, in particular the latest data on foreign trade of both countries, as both export more than 50% of their production. One of the issues of concern to both countries is that of securing their supply of raw materials, especially tuna and sardines, in order to be able to maintain their activity in the European Union, guaranteeing the significant number of jobs that this industry generates and which is essential for coastal areas.

The EU’s trade negotiations with third countries was another fundamental topic discussed, as was the field of technical and health legislation applied to the sector, such as the state of play of marketing standards and the Nutriscore nutritional labelling system, which must have a solid scientific basis.

Finally, the Transformation and Resilience Plan for the Sea-Industry Complex, drawn up by Anfaco for 303.3 million euros, was presented, with the aim of addressing strategic lines based on digitalisation, production and sustainable growth and competitiveness and social commitment that will allow the sector to consolidate a profound transformation, in order to consolidate itself as a driving force in a recovering Spanish economy.