MID’s response to EU fisheries control rules advocates for third-party weighing, standardised equipment, and accredited inspectors
Marine Ingredients Denmark (MID) has submitted its official response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the draft delegated regulation for fisheries control and enforcement.
The organisation, representing the Danish fishmeal and fish oil industry, voiced strong support for new rules on third-party weighing, increased transparency, and harmonised controls across the EU.
In its response, MID specifically endorses the proposed rules in Article 34 concerning the “Duties of operators responsible for weighing during inspections.” The organisation highlights the importance of promoting impartiality, transparency, and a consistent approach to control among EU member states.
MID’s submission includes several key recommendations to strengthen the regulation:
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Standardised Weighing Equipment: MID highlighted a lack of a clear, EU-wide definition or standard for weighing equipment, which currently leads to inconsistent controls. The organisation recommended the introduction of common technical specifications at an EU level to ensure fair and uniform application.
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Impartial and Tamper-Proof Systems: The response urged the Commission to include safeguards to ensure weighing is impartial and accurate. MID proposed that systems should allow for physical and digital verification if a seal has been broken, and must not permit hidden or untraceable automatic deductions from weighing results.
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Role of Monitoring and Inspection: MID welcomed the provision for access to video recordings of the weighing process. It further recommended that competent authorities be granted live CCTV access to enhance supervision. However, the organisation stressed that remote monitoring should supplement, rather than replace, the documentation performed by an independent third-party inspector, whose physical presence must remain a core requirement.
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Accreditation for Independence: MID emphasised the importance of impartiality in all weighing operations. The organisation recommended that all weighing operators across the EU be accredited under the ISO 17020 Type A standard, which defines the highest level of independence for inspection bodies.
The submission noted that the Danish fishmeal and fish oil industry is a global leader in control, weighing, quality assurance, and traceability of raw materials. The industry’s own Code of Conduct follows ISO 17020 Type A standards for impartial and independent certification, and systematic registration of species distribution helps support data-driven fisheries management.
MID concluded its response by affirming its readiness to contribute to continued dialogue on the implementation of fair, transparent, and harmonised control measures.
