Vol. 509 No. 5
31 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the plans, if any, he has to implement the recommendations of the herring task force; and the effect the report will have on the marketing of herring products this season. [20372/99]
The global market for herring continues to be weak. The problem is due mainly to difficulties in the Russian economy. My Department and BIM are working closely with the Irish fish processors and exporters to maximise all possible market openings for Irish herring, notably in eastern Europe. In this regard, of particular advantage has been the recent appointment of a pelagic market co-ordinator who is now working with the industry to further develop market co-ordination and co-operative strategies for the herring industry.
The Task Force on the Management and Marketing of Herring recommended a series of measures, including the appointment of the pelagic market co-ordinator, to maintain and enhance the Irish herring exports in the very difficult global environment. All these recommendations have already been implemented or are in progress, including quality development programmes for the fleet and herring processors, an industry marketing group, market research and new product development. These initiatives will help the industry through the present difficult market and position it well for development in future.
In the present scenario the Department is also working with the industry to ensure use is made, as appropriate, of the existing EU market support schemes. The schemes allow for withdrawal of herring from the market when the minimum withdrawal price for sale is not reached and the payment of a subsidy where product is held over with a view to reintroducing it to the market at a later stage. On a European level, I have raised the difficulties being experienced in the Irish herring market at my recent meeting with the Commissioner and the EU Presidency. I emphasised the need to have the market experience taken fully into account in the determination of tariff rates for the import of herring into the Community.
Additional Information
While I accept that the herring market remains difficult, this is due primarily to external factors over which we have no control. In that difficult scenario the focus will continue to be on developing new market opportunities and maximising quality and competitiveness in order to deliver best possible prices for Irish product.
I am very disappointed with the Minister's reply to this serious question appertaining to the herring industry. I am also disappointed that the Minister—
A question, Deputy Sheehan.
I am disappointed that the Minister failed to tell me what action his Department has taken on the recommendations of the task force, which he set up last year. Furthermore, he must realise the price of herrings has fallen from £450 per tonne to £100 per tonne or less. They are now only going to the fish meal plant. Fishermen are in dire straits and the herring fishing industry is in a shambles because Norway, which is not in the EU, has caused a glut in the market. Has the Minister contacted the EU Fisheries Commissioner to inquire about the process whereby Norway can capitalise on the herring industry while member states cannot do so? The Minister should call an urgent meeting with the EU Fisheries Commissioner to ensure something is done to stabilise the price of herring. We seem to have completely forgotten about it—
A red herring.
—and are throwing the herring industry into complete chaos. Has the Minister an answer to that?
You are beginning to flounder.
Who me? The red herring helped me out a little. I cannot disagree with much of what Deputy Sheehan said. It is a weak Minister who blames another country for their ills but we are having difficulties with the Russian market. The Russian economy, which was one of our largest markets, is not strong and has fallen asunder. We are making genuine attempts and have fol lowed all the initiatives the Deputy suggested today and I hope we will achieve some success. The roe of herring has increased in price and that, in some way, will redress the balance, but it is not good enough.
The Deputy asked about herring imports into the EU. We were successful in reducing the quantity of herring which could be imported tariff free into the Community this year, which was strongly recommended by the task force. I also made it clear during my recent meeting with the Commissioner, Franz Fischler, that further imports of herring into the EU are completely unjustifiable at a time when EU supplies are up and prices are down. My objective is to abolish tax free quotas of herring.
Will the Minister tell us what happened to the Dutch market which used to be our most lucrative one in years gone by? The Japanese market was also a valuable market from the point of view of herring roe. They both seem to have collapsed completely.
Did the Minister get any satisfaction from the EU Fisheries Commissioner on this very important matter?
As I indicated, we were successful in reducing the quantity of herring which could be brought into the Community and it is our intention to abolish all tariff free quotas. On Deputy Deasy's question, the export of roe to Japan is still quite successful and I hope that market improves this year. I indicated that the price is fairly good. In relation to the Dutch market, I am reliably informed that herring from this part of the world is not large enough, and that is what caused that problem.
