The European Fishing Tackle Trade Association was established in London in 1981 with a clear purpose: support the tackle trade industry to promote sportfishing, international business and environmental issues. That last is the reason why EFTTA is registered as an official lobbying association in Brussels and currently is dealing in the European Court with questions related to small hydropower stations, cormorants, lead ban and the Baltic salmon management plan.
EFTTA's objective is to promote the interests of the European fishing tackle trade and to make it more effective in the international market place. To this end, close relations have been established with the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) and the Japanese Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association (JAFTMA). EFTTA has negotiated agreements with these associations for reciprocal exhibiting rights so members can break into world-wide markets.
EFTTA Membership is open to manufacturers, wholesalers, agents, press and related organisation in the tackle industry. Applications for membership are subject to approval by the EFTTA Board, which comprises 12 elected European members and a President who is elected every three years.
EFTTA members are mainly Manufacturers, Wholesalers, Agents and Press from the fishing tackle industry. They all meet at EFTTEX, the leading European Fishing Tackle Trade Exhibition, that's celebrated every year in a different capital of Europe.
In 1982 the first European Fishing Tackle Trade Exhibition (EFTTEX) was initiated by EFTTA. This has developed over the years into the premier trade show for the industry. EFTTEX attracts some of the most well-known names in the industry and is also a place to meet new and emerging companies within the trade. The location of EFTTEX changes annually, and previous host countries include Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Poland and the UK.