Significant benefits for Crete are expected to accrue from the creation of a European Reference Centre for the Welfare of Aquatic Animals in Heraklion. The creation of the centre, which is expected to start operation in January 2024, was announced recently in Luxembourg at a meeting between the minister for Rural Development and Food, Lefteris Avgenakis, and the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides.