Fish Producer Organisation (PO)
Information for PO's on how to gain recognition, produce annual reports, submit production and marketing plans and ensure compliance.
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) promotes the sustainable exploitation of UK marine fisheries and works in collaboration PO’s to manage fishing opportunities.
PO’s are officially recognised bodies set up by fishery or aquaculture producers. They play a role in managing quotas and marketing the fisheries products of their members. There are currently 9 established PO’s in England (22 in total in the UK).
Applying to be a fish Producer Organisation (PO)
Groups of fishery or aquaculture producers can form a PO if they are able to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirements set out in the accompanying guidance.
An optional template is available, which applicants can choose whether to use when applying to become a PO. Use of the template is optional, but all the requirements of the guidance must be demonstrated.
The MMO encourages prospective applicants to engage in pre-application advice. This can be arranged by contacting [email protected] or calling 0300 123 1032 and asking for the fisheries management team.
Applying to be a fish Producer Organisation (PO)
- 18 July 2019
- Guidance
PO’s must be deemed to be sufficiently economically active, and must therefore meet one of the following criteria on an ongoing basis; the:
- number of vessels operated by PO members is at least 20% of the total number of vessels operating in its area
- PO lands at least 15% by weight of total production in its area
- PO lands at least 30% by weight of total production in a major port or market in its area
- PO has a minimum of 200 members that are active fishermen (the PO must provide a list of vessels and their landings data over the previous 3 years, where applicable)
- PO lands at least 5,000 tonnes of fishery products.
Checks on newly recognised Producer Organisations (PO)
When a new PO is formed compliance checks on the areas that the MMO cannot assess until a PO is recognised will be completed. These checks will be discussed with the PO after recognition. After the first year, if the PO is found to be compliant, the PO will be checked as per the compliance guidance detailed below.
Fish Producer Organisation (PO) compliance guidance
Recognised PO’s are to ensure ongoing compliance with the conditions for recognition as set out in Art 14 and Art 17 of the Regulation (EU) No 1379/2013 on the common organisation of the markets in fishery and aquaculture products (CMO Regulation) and in the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1419/2013 of 17 December 2013.
This guidance has been drafted following discussions with the Commission, which is responsible for monitoring compliance with the CMO Regulation at an EU level.
All UK Fisheries Administrations will use this guidance to support their compliance checks.
Fish Producer Organisation (PO) compliance guidance
- 18 July 2019
- Guidance
Production and marketing plan
PO’s must submit Production and Marketing Plans (PMP) to the MMO at intervals of not less than 2 years and not exceeding 4 years. The information within the plan should demonstrate meeting the recognition criteria and the requirements of the CMO regulation on an ongoing basis.
A ‘template’ has been produced by the MMO, in collaboration with PO’s, it contains guidance and should be followed when submitting a PMP.
Fish Producer Organisation (PO) production and marketing plan
- 9 August 2017
- Guidance
Annual report
Annual reports summarise the PO’s production programme over the previous 12 month period. Information within the report should include updates on progress towards meeting the objectives set out in the PMP. Evidence of meeting the recognition criteria and the requirements of the CMO regulation on an ongoing basis should also be provided
A ‘template’ has been produced by the MMO, it contains guidance and should be followed when submitting an annual report..
Fish Producer Organisation (PO) annual report
- 20 March 2018
- Guidance
Compliance and enforcement strategy
The MMO has a regulatory role to ensure producer organisations are in compliance with legislative obligations as set out in fisheries legislation. The MMO undertakes all compliance and monitoring in accordance with its compliance and enforcement strategy.
Other
Updates to this page
Published 9 August 2017Last updated 7 April 2021 + show all updates
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Email update
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Checks on newly recognised Producer Organisations (PO) information added.
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Revised PO recognition criteria guidance published
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First published.