Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Fisheries Policy. – Dáil Éireann (19th Dáil) – Tuesday, 15 Dec 1970

Mr. Creed, Dr. FitzGerald

andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will give the basis of the financial compensation to fish producers' associations contained in the resolution of the EEC Council of Ministers of 30th June last; and if he will comment on the implications for the Irish fishing industry of this part of the resolution.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries (Mr. Fahey)

The common fisheries policy adopted by the European Economic Community in conformity with the Council Resolution of 30th June, 1970 provides that the financial compensation allowed to producers' organisations shall be equal to 60 per cent of the guide price when the withdrawal price is higher than 65 per cent of the guide price and equal to 55 per cent of the guide price when the withdrawal price does not exceed 65 per cent of the guide price. The regulation provides that the level of the guide price shall be fixed by the council and that the method of application of the withdrawal price shall be adopted by the management committee for fishery products. No decisions on these matters have been taken so far by the committee and I am, accordingly, not in a position to comment on their implications at this stage.

22.

Mr. Creed, Dr. FitzGerald

andMr. Begley asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he will state with respect to each variety of fish covered by the EEC fisheries policy what the average price secured for each variety was in the EEC in the last three seasons and what the average price secured for each of these types of fish of the same quality was in the Irish market in the same period.

Mr. Fahey

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate it in the Official Report. The information available in respect of EEC countries, which has been obtained from the Statistics Office of the EEC, is limited to the main varieties of wet fish and has no relation to fish quality.

Following is the statement:—

BELGIUM

Variety	1967	1968	1969
	Belgian francs per kilo.
Herring, fresh	7.14	9.95	6.37
Cod	9.51	9.02	12.63
Turbot	54.08	60.70	66.92
Sole	54.74	56.80	64.94
Haddock	9.01	8.27	6.75
Plaice	7.47	7.52	8.65
Mackerel	5.31	8.35	5.76
Ray/Skate	15.36	13.96	15.82

FRANCE

Variety	1967	1968	1969
	French francs per kilo.
Herring, fresh	0.99	1.06	1.01
Cod, fresh	1.41	1.48	1.82
Cod, salted	1.85	1.47	1.64
Turbot	7.04	6.39	6.67
Sole	7.76	8.05	8.52
Haddock	0.96	1.06	1.18
Plaice	1.19	1.51	1.37
Mackerel	0.86	0.84	1.48
Ray/Skate	1.46	1.59	1.88

GERMANY

Variety	1967	1968	1969
	DM per kilo.
Herring, fresh	0.35	0.37	0.24
Herring, salted	0.75	0.68	0.89
Cod, fresh	0.66	0.57	0.68
Cod, salted	1.34	1.07	1.26
Turbot	3.96	4.61	4.71
Sole	3.42	3.57	4.17
Haddock	0.89	0.64	0.76
Plaice	0.93	0.78	0.83
Mackerel	0.33	0.44	0.34
Ray/Skate	0.29	0.33	0.47

ITALY

Variety	1967	1968	1969
	lira per kilo.
Turbot	847	784	840
Sole	1446	1504	1888
Mackerel	260	238	283
Ray/Skate	339	360	397

NETHERLANDS

Variety	1967	1968	1969
	guilders per kilo.
Herring, fresh	0.53	0.63	0.65
Herring, salted	0.95	1.13	1.17
Cod, fresh	0.64	0.67	0.94
Turbot	2.98	3.45	3.55
Sole	3.78	4.01	4.70
Haddock	0.51	0.58	0.56
Plaice	0.58	0.54	0.60
Mackerel	0.36	0.48	0.47
Ray/Skate	0.76	0.91	0.86

IRELAND

Variety	1967	1968	1969
	Shillings per cwt.
Herring, fresh	21.4	22.0	23.0
Cod, fresh	72.4	67.2	87.25
Turbot	195.9	200.1	199.7
Sole	430.25	437.6	457.8
Haddock	74.75	72.6	70.9
Plaice	155.1	144.3	158.8
Mackerel	23.2	22.75	28.5
Ray/Skate	83.2	87.25	91.0

Dr. FitzGerald

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give any information on the relative prices of the key types of fish here and in the EEC countries? As the guide price is based on these prices, why can he not tell us the implications for this country in terms of the price changes that will occur with EEC membership?

Mr. Fahey

The guide prices will be worked out on an entirely different basis from the present basis. I think the Deputy wants to know if the guide price at present in the EEC is higher than that for Irish fish——

Dr. FitzGerald

Yes.

Mr. Fahey

It is not possible to say that at present.

Dr. FitzGerald

The guide price is. fixed as an average for the annual price for each type of fish over the last three years. I take it that, in the tabular statement, the Parliamentary Secretary has given me just this information.

Mr. Fahey

The guide price will beset on an altogether different basis. It will not be taken as the average, as at present.

Dr. FitzGerald

Is there some change in the decisions taken on the fisheries policy?

Mr. Fahey

No.

Dr. FitzGerald

The general decisions taken in respect of fisheries policy include the decision that the guide price shall be taken on the average of the prices over the past three years.

Mr. Fahey

The guide price will be on a different basis from that of the average——

Dr. FitzGerald

What is the basis?

Mr. Fahey

That is not decided. It will be on a different basis.

Dr. FitzGerald

Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell us the terms of the decision that was taken not to adopt the average so that we shall know exactly what they have decided?

Mr. Fahey

Until the guide prices are decided it will be impossible to compare them with the present price of fish in Ireland. This is the position and, as I said, guide prices will not be worked out on the present basis of average.

Dr. FitzGerald

Does the Parliamentary Secretary appreciate that the proposals made to the Council of Ministers included provision for fixing the guide prices on the basis of the average for the last three years? I understand from him that the Council of Ministers took a different decision, not to do that and to do something else. Could he give us the terms of their decision to reject the Commission's proposal? What did they decide?

Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Dec 1970