Skip to main content
Normal View

Fisheries Protection.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004

Thursday, 7 October 2004

Questions (174, 175)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

174 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on proposed EU safeguard measures for EU imports of Atlantic salmon. [23840/04]

View answer

Written answers

The position is that the Commission Regulation 1477/2004 imposing provisional safeguard measures on imports of farmed salmon into the Community was adopted on 13 August 2004. The regulation was referred to the Council under Article 16(7) of Regulation 3285/1994, which could result in the provisional safeguard measures falling by early December. On 8 September, the Community industry lodged an anti-dumping complaint with the Commission and advised that it will shortly lodge an anti-subsidy complaint, both against imports of salmon from Norway.

In this situation, the Commission has taken up contact with a number of interested parties in order to find a solution which would stabilise the market for farmed salmon and avoid uncertainty for the economic operations concerned. In the context of finding a long-term solution, the Commission is considering a number of options, including the introduction of a minimum import price and the continuation of the quota regime at a higher level.

A meeting of the EU safeguards committee is planned for 8 October to enable the Commission to review the situation and consider possible amendments to the provisional measures. It is critical that there is support for the Commission's proposals from the committee in order for the Commission to deliver an effective revised package. I am strongly supportive of the Commission's efforts to find a long-term solution that will provide the necessary stability to the EU market and ensure a viable future for the Irish farmed salmon producers.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

175 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources his views on the proposed new EU Community Fisheries Central Agency and its location at Vigo, Spain; and if he will be making further proposals on the matter. [23841/04]

View answer

Control and enforcement is an important element of the objective to ensure sustainability of fish stocks. Many fish stocks migrate between different jurisdictions of member states and there is, therefore, a clear requirement for effective co-ordination and co-operation in fisheries control and enforcement. A key objective of the proposed Community Fisheries Control Agency is to improve such co-operation and co-ordination between member states and, accordingly, I welcome the establishment of this agency.

The decision on the location of any European Community institution is a matter for the heads of state or government of member states. Under the Italian Presidency, in December 2003, decisions were taken on the locations of a number of Community institutions, including the location of the Community Fisheries Control Agency in Spain. In these circumstances, the question of further Irish proposals on the matter does not arise.

Top
Share