EFTTA confirms new structure and move to Brussels

The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association (EFTTA) has moved its headquarters to Brussels in Belgium after being based in the UK for 40 years.

The move was revealed last year, but has just been finalised, along with confirmation that the organisation that represents the recreational fishing industry in Europe has been restructured.

“Due to Brexit, it made no sense for EFTTA to stay in a country that is no longer part of the EU, our main task being the defence of the interests of the angling industry in Europe,” said the announcement.

“As a result, the EFTTA Board has taken the decision to shut down our British structure (EFTTA Ltd.) and to 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.”

EFTTEX, the trade exhibition run by EFTTA, first took place in the UK in 1981 and for many years has been managed by the Association’s London-based secretariat, which has now been dissolved.

The Association’s new location in Brussels is between the European Commission and the European Parliament. “It is a perfect location to continue and further develop our lobby work to safeguard the future of the angling industry. This is our primary task,” says the announcement.

“In Brussels, our goals and tasks – lobbying in the EU institutions – will be further intensified. EFTTA will continue interacting with the angling industry and the responsible decision-makers of the EU to raise awareness and find mutual solutions to enable a future in which sustainable recreational angling plays an important role for the maintenance and ecological development of our environment.”

EFTTA also unveiled a new logo as part of its re-launch.