EFTTA – a new location, logo and start

The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA), which works with the industry to promote and support the sport and its businesses, has now moved into new offices in Brussels, unveiling an updated logo at the same time.

EFTTA not only represents the European recreational angling industry but lobbies on its behalf so, after Brexit, it made sense for the organisation to move from England – where it had been based since 1981 – to Brussels, in the political heart of Europe.

CEO Olivier Portrat said: “It made no sense for EFTTA to stay in a country that is no longer part of the European Union, our main task being the defence of the interests of the angling industry in Europe. As a result, the EFTTA board has taken the decision to shut down our British structure (EFTTA Ltd) and create a new lobbying-association in Belgium. 

“EFTTA is now registered in Belgium as an international non-profit association (AISBL) – meaning that all the money we receive has to be reinvested in the defence and promotion of recreational angling. 

“Our new address is in Brussels, right in between the European Commission and the European Parliament: a perfect location to continue and further develop our lobby work to safeguard the future of the angling industry. This is our primary task!”

Among its key roles will be continued interaction with the angling industry and EU decision-makers to raise awareness and find mutual solutions to enable a future in which sustainable angling plays an important role for the maintenance and ecological development of the environment.

It has already succeeded in getting plastic soft and hard baits and plastic fishing lines removed from a proposed list of banned items as the EU seeks to cut down on single-use plastics.

Work is also continuing on the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) to ensure recreational angling is recognised and respected on the same level as aquaculture and commercial fishing.

Meanwhile, new EU directives aim to protect 30 per cent of its land and sea territory in ‘protected and strictly protected’ areas by 2030.

The EU has now revised the initial classification that recreational angling should be banned from these future protected areas.

EFTTA can now be contacted directly at Rue de la Loi 81a, Bruxelles 1000, Belgium or via [email protected]

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