Central

The central government is responsible for:

• The safety in the food chain: standards on the quality of raw materials and products of vegetable and animal origin, control of products of animal origin;
• Standards on the health and welfare of animals and their control;
• Marine fisheries research (Department of Sea Fishery of the Centre for Agricultural Research);
• Implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy.

The representation of Belgium in the European Union in this respect is governed by a cooperation agreement.

Regional

 
Regions

Regional authorities are responsible for:

• The fishery policy and fishery legislation (for both marine and inland fishery);
• Aid to fishery companies;
• Promotion, and
• The application of European measures (TACs and quotas).
• Management of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
  

Local ​

 
Local authorities can devise and implement measures under Belgium’s EMFF programme and assist local producers. This mainly benefits fisheries located on the North Sea in Flanders.

Responsible ministries/bodies

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Flanders

Sources

Constitution of Belgium (Constitution belge texte coordonné du 17 février 1994). In particular Art. 39

Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, Fisheries and Aquaculture Department, Information on Fisheries management in the Kingdom of Belgium.

Special law of Institutional Reform (Loi Spéciale de réformes institutionnelles du 8 Août 1980)

Fisheries in Belgium, Government Portal