Fact File: The common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products

The common organisation of the markets (COM) in fishery and aquaculture products has existed since 1970 and is the oldest pillar of the Common Fisheries Policy. Originally a simple tool meant to guarantee the free movement of goods and price stability for producers, it has since steadily evolved in response to major changes taking place in both the general and institutional context. Today, it must meet further new challenges: scarce resources, the growing clout of big buyers, changes in consumers’ habits, the growing share of aquaculture and imports on the market, higher energy and production costs, and more.