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  • Aquaponics - Legal Aspects

    Legal AspectsAquaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics and is subject to various legal aspects and conditions. Specific regulations may vary from region to region, so it is important to check with local authorities and relevant bodies. Here are some general legal aspects to consider when it comes to aquaponics:
     
    Water use and quality:
    Regulations on water consumption and discharge into natural waters.
    Compliance with water quality standards to prevent pollution.
     
    Fish farming regulations:
    Permits and licenses for aquaculture activities, including raising and selling fish.
    Species-specific regulations and restrictions for fish farming.
     
    Plant cultivation:
    Compliance with agricultural regulations for growing crops in hydroponic facilities.
    Compliance with standards for the use of pesticides and herbicides, especially when traditional farming methods are used alongside aquaponics.
     
    Food Safety and Health Regulations:
    Compliance with food safety regulations, especially when selling products or fish for human consumption.
    Compliance with health and hygiene standards in the processing and handling of aquaponics products.
     
    Zoning and Land Use:
    Zoning regulations related to the use of land for aquaponics facilities.
    Compliance with local land use planning and development regulations.
     
    Environmental impact assessments:
    Assess potential environmental impacts and comply with environmental impact assessment requirements.
    Measures to mitigate any negative environmental impacts.
     
    Waste management:
    Proper disposal or treatment of waste generated in the aquaponics system.
    Compliance with waste disposal regulations.
     
    Water rights:
    Understanding and securing water rights for aquaponics operations, particularly in areas with water scarcity or water use regulations.
     
    Building regulations and building permits:
    Compliance with building regulations for the construction of aquaponic systems.
    Obtaining the necessary building permits to install the system.
     
    Occupational safety and labor laws:
    Compliance with workplace safety regulations for employees involved in aquaponics operations.
    Compliance with labor laws, including fair labor practices.
     
    Labeling and marketing:
    Compliance with regulations governing the labeling and marketing of aquaponic products.
    Clear labeling of organic or sustainable practices where applicable.
     
    Import and export regulations:
    If applicable, comply with import and export regulations for aquaponic products.

    It is crucial to contact local agricultural extension offices, environmental agencies and relevant authorities to understand and navigate the specific legal circumstances in your area. Advice from legal experts who specialize in agriculture and aquaculture can also provide valuable insight and guidance. Remember that regulations may evolve. Therefore, staying informed and acting proactively is essential to complying with regulatory requirements in aquaponics.
     
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    URL

  • Aquaponics is not certified organic

    According to the new Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/848, which will come into force in January 2022, aquaponic products cannot be certified as organic in the European Union. Given the numerous components of an aquaponic system, which include growing plants under hydroponic conditions, recycling fish waste, and raising fish under artificial conditions, obtaining organic certification for aquaponic products is a complex matter governed by many parameters.

    Although aquaponics meets almost all the principles of organic farming in theory and practice, regulations such as the requirement to grow plants in soil and the ban on the use of recirculating systems in aquaculture currently prevent organic certification of aquaponics products.

    This study examines these provisions in the new Horticulture and Aquaculture Regulation. The rules are evaluated, their basis discussed and suggestions are made for system changes that could make it possible for aquaponic products to be certified organic. Proposed changes include the use of soil in the hydroponic sector and the introduction of environmental enrichments to improve fish welfare in the aquaculture sector. Several EU policies and strategies supporting the development of aquaponics are also discussed and possible strategies for the development of organic aquaponics are formulated. Read more here:


    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/raq.12539

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    ID:  508

  • Eedible Fish

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    1948 advertisement for Flair fish cutlets - Public Domain

    Edible fish  are fish species that are suitable for human consumption. Depending on their habitat, a distinction is made between freshwater fish and saltwater fish (sea fish). Some fish species occur in both saltwater and freshwater, for example eel and salmon. Not all of them are suitable for breeding in aquaponics or aquaculture. Here is an overview of the preferred fish species for aquaponics systems.

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    ID: 606

    Quelle Bild: https://www.flickr.com/photos/159358942@N07/48835684447 - Public Domain

  • Funding (EU)

    At the moment, in the German-speaking area, EU funding can be found on the page of federal and state funding.
     
    In the near future, there will be an EU database with funding projects on aquaponics, aquaculture and hydroponics. Until then, you can find a small selection of EU funding projects here: https://www.foerderdatenbank.de/FDB/DE/Home/home.html.
     
    One more note: you will not find aquaponics or hydroponics in this database as these are technical terms. Start by searching for aquaculture. As the aquaponics and hydroponics approach is still quite new, we will be happy to advise you on obtaining funding here. In addition, there are specialised companies that can prepare both projects and the necessary applications for you.
     

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  • Funding (Germany)

    Federal, municipal and state governments promote the conversion to aquaponics and hydroponics.

    Please note that the structure of the websites for which we have compiled the links is constantly changing. The concept of static links - the address of the post does not change despite the restructuring of the page - has unfortunately not yet penetrated to the administrative levels of the authorities.

     

    A certain amount of effort is required to apply for funding; moreover, a search for "aquaponics" or "hydroponics" in the funding database of the federal government, the state and the EU does not actually yield any hits (as of May 2022): https://www.foerderdatenbank.de/.

    Depending on your initial situation, it may be a good idea to abstract the search term somewhat. With "agriculture", for example, you will find almost 700 entries, including:Landesprogramm Ländlicher Raum (LPLR)

    Forschung für Innovationen in der Agrarwirtschaft

    The term Aquakultur leads to 250 results!

    We can help you find a suitable funding programme or refer you to professional companies that specialise in such applications.https://www.foerderdatenbank.de/FDB/DE/Home/home.html

    Landesprogramm Ländlicher Raum (LPLR)

    https://www.foerderdatenbank.de/FDB/Content/DE/Foerderprogramm/Bund/BMEL/messe-ausstellung-nachhaltige-landwirtschaft-bund.html

    https://www.foerderdatenbank.de/FDB/DE/Home/home.html

    Agriculture - liquidity support for agriculture and fisheries and aquaculture following the attack on Ukraine
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    ID: 399

  • Organic Certificates

    The market for organic certificates is hardly manageable anymore. In addition, some certificates are not highly regarded by consumers. As if that wasn't chaotic enough, there are already various types of certifications for the German-speaking countries alone (A, DE, CH).

    Below is a small overview. What makes matters worse is that for most certificates the criteria for awarding them are not transparent and in some cases no clearly defined standards have been published by the certificate issuer.

    To date, there are no binding requirements for keeping fish in aquaculture, the exception being the general requirements of the EU Directive 98/58/EC on minimum standards for the protection of farm animals and epidemic hygiene regulations. In 2005, the Council of Europe published recommendations for the keeping of farmed fish, but the addition of appendices for the individual fish species has not yet been completed / as of 2022.

    From the consumer's perspective, a patchwork with a self-service mentality on the part of lobby groups appears to have been negligently created. The EU organic seal, which completely foregoes environmental and social issues, is likely to be particularly disappointing for customers. This short summary already shows this impressively.

    Control ASC BAP EU organic seal FOS Global CAP Naturland
    Stocking density regulated Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes
    Medication regulated Ta/MI Ta/MI AW Ta Ta/MI AW
    Osh Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
    environmental Protection Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
    Social standards Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
    Feed Rü. Rü. Rü. Rec. Rü. Rü.
     
    Ta) According to a veterinary prescription
    AW) Number of treatments and waiting time in between regulated
    MI) Medicines with approval in the importing country
    Rü) Components traceable
    Rec) Recommendations only

    Here is a small - non-representative - selection of market participants

    Aha!
    Bioland
    Bio Suisse
    Organic criteria of Ecocert IMOswiss AG
    COR
    COSMOS
    Demeter seal
    Detergents
    Ecocert
    Ecopetcare
    EU organic seal / ITW label
    EU Organic
    Food Service (France)
    Formulator
    Migros Bio
    Naturland
    Swiss organic regulation
    Suisse Garantie
    Tunisian law 99/30
    VO ( EC) No. 834/2007 - Equivalence

    EU organic regulation: http://www.allesoeko.net/verfassung

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    ID: 501

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