THE CONTROL SYSTEM IN ORGANIC AQUACULTURE IN ITALY.  DEVELOPMENT OF PRODUCTION, QUALITY AND INCREASE OF CONSUMER CONFIDENCE.  EQUIVALENCE RELATIONS IN TRADE IN ORGANIC PRODUCTS BETWEEN TUNISIA AND THE EU

Protein production from aquaculture and fish farming are considered more efficient and sustainable than traditional livestock farming, due to better feed conversion ratio and lower impact on resources such as water and land.

However, the quality of the product is sometimes not perceived by final consumers due to poor traceability of the production process and certification.

To improve consumer confidence and the profitability of the supply chain, it is essential to implement a clear and detailed tracking of production, processing, distribution and logistics.

The article outlines a method for tracking the quality of a small/medium-sized producer’s production process.

The article focuses on the potential production in the low-anthropogenized waters of the North African coasts in accordance with current regulations.

The method is described from a legal, biological and technical/scientific point of view.

The theme is declined on various interventions to deepen the various areas of the topic. (Silvia Canali Lawyer and Legal Consultant Food Law Expert at Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry- Institute of Marine Biology Piombino, Prof Bedini- University of Rome 3, Prof Leccese- SeTeL srl, Ing De Francesco).

In particular, Silvia Canali will illustrate:

• the quality system of organic aquaculture production in Italy, guaranteed by the system of controls throughout the supply chain, which allows national operators to obtain the organic certification of the product and the use of the EU logo.
• The system of equivalence in the commercial relations of organic products between African countries and the EU.
• A critical analysis for reforming the traceability system of organic products or at least to identify best practices in order to increase the consumers confidence of the quality of products.